Combining Ability of Some New Yellow Maize Inbred Lines by Using Line X Tester Analysis

: Eleven new yellow maize inbred Lines developed at Sids Agricultural Research Station were crossed with two lines as tester i.e. Gz-666 and Gm-6038 during 2019 summer season. The 22 crosses and two yellow check hybrids SC-168 and SC-3444 were evaluated at Sakha, Sids and Ismailia Agricultural Research Stations during 2020 summer Season. General (GCA) and specific (SCA) combining ability variances and effects were estimated for days to 50% silking, plant height, ear height, percentage of resistant plant to late wilt disease and grain yield traits. Results showed significant differences between the three locations for all the traits except for percentage of resistant to late wilt disease. Mean squares due to lines (L), testers (T), Lx T with locations (Loc) and their interaction were significant for most the studied traits. The inbred lines L-4, L-14 and L-19 exhibited positive and significant GCA effect for grain yield. The crosses (L-14 x Gm-6038) and (L-19 x Gz-666) significantly out yielded the best check hybrid SC-168 and late wilt resistance 100%. The crosses (L-13 x Gz-666) possessed significantly and desirable SCA effects for grain yield. The magnitude of non-additive gene effects was larger than additive gene effects for plant height and grain yield. While, for days to 50% silking, ear height and resistant to late wilt the magnitude additive gene effects were more important than that of non-additive gene effects..