The heterotic groups are important in maize breeding programs because they allow the most efficient use of the germoplasm. The objective of this research was to allocate maize lines to heterotic groups from estimates of specific combining ability (SCA). Eight and ten S3 lines derived from populations BR-105 and BR-106, respectively, were crossed at interpopulation levels following a diallel system. Eighty single-crosses were obtained and evaluated in lattice designs across three environments. Recorded data consisted of grain yield (GY), plant height (PH) and ear height (EH). Estimates of general and specific combining ability (GCA) and (SGA) were computed according to Griffing's method 4, model I, for all traits. Estimates of SCA were used for principal coordinate analysis (PCO) and for cluster analysis, by using UPGMA (unweighted pair-group method with arithmetical averages) clustering algorithm, to assign the lines to heterotic groups. For the trait GY the lines were allocated to 4 heterotic groups, in which the lines from each population were subdivided in 2 heterotic groups. For the traits PH and EH, the use of the estimates of SCA to assign lines to heterotic groups were not efficient. Cluster analysis and principal coordinate analysis were efficient for the trait GY in allocating maize lines to heterotic groups. Thus, since grain yield is the main trait for the breeding purposes, with the allocation of the lines in 4 heterotic groups, the crosses will be more efficient, avoiding to obtain and evaluate unnecessary (hybrid) crosses.
Zea mays; diallel analysis; combining ability