Abstract: This study evaluated the combining ability, heterosis and heterotic pat terns of yield for the crosses between 4 line-testers represent ing the main heterotic groups of Chinese corns and 13 elite populations improved from the research groups. The analysis of variance showed that highly significant differences were observed for grain yield among genotypes, GCA of populat ions and SCA between populations and testers. The SCA of populat ions of WBM-C4, Yuzong No. 5, Liaoluzongqun, Zhongqun No. 14 and Huangzongqun were higher than that of others tested. Among 12 crosses with higher SCA and grain yields near to that of the check averaged from four commercial crosses, compared to 52 crosses, four cross comb-i nations of 478×Huangzongqun,Huangzao 4×Zhongqun No. 14, Dan 340×Huangzongqun andHuangzao 4×Yuzong No. 5 had the best special combining ability and higher yields than checks with heterosis of 2.29%~4.82%. The results not only showed the research progress in the population improvement of China, but also provided scientific basis for further improvement and utilization of these populations, and the establishment of heterotic patterns of chinese corns.

Key words: Corn germplasm, Population improvement, Combining ability, Heterotic pattern

CLC Number: 

• S513