Determination of inheritance of agromorphological and grain quality traits in popcorn by line x tester analysis

This study was conducted to determine the general and specific combining abilities of lines and to identify promising hybrid combinations through Line × Tester analysis involving 27 inbred popcorn lines and 2 tester lines, resulting in 54 combinations, with the objective of agro-morphological and molecular characterization of the inbred lines and determination of heterosis. Field trials were established with two replications at the Research Area of Çukurova University, Department of Field Crops. The traits evaluated included plant height, ear height, stem diameter, ear length, ear diameter, number of kernel rows per ear, number of kernels per row, number of kernels per ear, kernel yield per ear, thousand-kernel weight, test weight, moisture content, popping volume, unpopped kernel ratio, chewiness, and grain yield. Variance and effects of general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA), as well as heterosis and heterobeltiosis values, were calculated, and superior lines and hybrid combinations were identified. Grain yield averages ranged from 118.0 kg/da (L6) to 590.0 kg/da (T2) for lines, and from 137.5 kg/da (L27×T2) to 627.0 kg/da (L9×T1) for hybrids. Heterosis values ranged between –67.12% and 65.33%, while heterobeltiosis values ranged between –74.82% and 6.27%. Regarding grain yield, the L6 line, T2 tester, and L9×T1 hybrid combination were prominent. It is recommended that novel inbred lines with defined heterotic groups be developed to enhance genetic diversity for hybrid maize breeding.