Identifying heterotic groups and testers for hybrid development in early maturing yellow maize (Zea mays) for sub-Saharan Africa

Identification of heterotic groups and efficient testers, which are important prerequisites for the development of outstanding hybrids, has been a major challenge to its success, especially for early and extra-early germplasm. This study was carried out to (a) identify the most efficient heterotic grouping method for classifying a set of inbred lines and (b) determine the efficiency of testers in classifying inbred lines into heterotic groups. A total of 205 hybrids obtained by crossing 41 inbred lines with five standard testers were evaluated together with five hybrid checks under drought, low soil nitrogen (N), Striga-infested and optimal environments in Nigeria between 2014 and 2016. The heterotic group's specific and general combining ability (HSGCA) method was more effective in classifying the inbred lines into heterotic groups. Testers TZEI 17 and TZEI 23 were the most efficient across environments and could be invaluable for classifying other lines into heterotic groups and assessing combining ability of maize inbreds. In addition, these testers and heterotic groups represent an invaluable resource for development of outstanding hybrids in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).