This investigation has been done to obtain information on the genetic behavior of grain yield components in teosinte × maize hybrid, in order to identify the desirable breeding program for the improvement of these traits. Four inbred lines of teosinte, L1, L2, L3 and L4 were crossed to three genotypes of maize, two inbred lines, Sd34 and Sd63, addition to a commercial (Sc, 30K8), at Serw Agricultural Research Station in 2007 growing season. The twelve crosses and their parents were evaluated during 2008 and 2009 seasons at Serw Agricultural Research Station. Results showed that significant differences among crosses for all studied traits. However, lines were significantly differed for 100-grains weight and grain yield per plot. While testers were varied significantly for green fodder yield per plot and grain yield per plot. On the other hand, the interaction between crosses × years interaction were highly significant for all studied traits except number of tillers per plant. In addition L × T × years interactions was significant for all studied traits except crude protein. The parent of inbred line -1 had highest positive and significant GCA effect for TND, 100-grain weight and grain yield per plot and exhibited desirable GCA effect for number of tassling date (toward earliness), line-3 had positive and significant GCA effect for green fodder yield per plot and 100-grain weight. Thus, these inbred lines (L1 and L3) could be recommended for advanced stage of evaluation through the breeding program. 30k8 (T1) tester was good general combiner for 100-grain weight, crude protein and grain yield per plot while (T2 and T3) was good general combiner for green fodder yield per plot, and TDN. The highest SCA effects were observed in the top crosses L1 × T3 for TDN, number of tillers per plant, tassling date (toward earliness), crude protein and grain yield per plot. Estimation of general combining ability variance components (σ²GCA) was larger than the corresponding value of specific combining ability variance components (σ²SCA) for green fodder yield per plot, 100-grain weight and grain yield per plot indicating that additive was found to be more important than non-additive gene action for these traits. While, the σ²SCA was larger than σ²GCA for TDN, number of tillers per plant, plant height, tassling date and crude protein percentage, indicating that the non-additive genetic variance played the major role in the inheritance of these traits. Generally, all topcrosses were superior to their parents of teosinte for green fodder yield per plot, tassling date (toward earliness), grain yield per plot, 100-grain weight, except (L2 × T2) and (L2 × T3), and crude protein except (L2 × T3). These top crosses for crude protein were L2 × T1, L3 ×T1 and L4 × T1. However, in the case of grain yield per plot these topcrosses were L1 × T3, L1 × T2, L4 × T1, L1 × T2, L2 × T1 and L3 × T1. Therefore, these top crosses can be used for improvement in green fodder yield and grain yield which can be used in silage in dough stage.

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ix hybrids of maize crop (MS) (Zea mays L.) and maize teosinte hybrid forage (MTF) (Zea Mexcana Schrad) were planted separately for 2 seasons under practical conditions of farms in north of Delta Egypt to estimate economic and nutritional benefits of maize teosinte hybrid silage (MTS) compared with maize silage (MS) on the mixed farming systems (crop / livestock) at the national level. This study included also 3 proposal scenarios (S) to evaluate effect of generalization MTS package to cover the feed gap as (TDN and DCP) and maize as grain gap or reduce grain maize in Egypt. S1: Replacement of corn fodder ( drawa) area (310088 feddan) by MTS.S2:Replacement of MS area(438547 feddan) by MTS.S3:Replacement of drawa and MS area (748634 feddan ) by MTS. Highly significant differences were recorded among MTF and all tested MC as fresh or silage on DM basis and fresh yield. The MTF produced the highest total fresh and dry forage along with fresh and dried as silage yields 60.18, 16.02 and 54.16 and 15.10 ton/feddan (fed) ve. 20.87 and 5.81 for MC and18.78 and5.42 ton/fed. for MS, respectively. Chemical composition and feeding values of both silages were not significant different except CF. MTS showed the highest value of TDN ( 66.30% vs. 64.17%) and the lowest value of DCP (4.48% vs. 4.92%) without significant differences between the two kinds of silages. All tested genotypes of MTS and MS showed high quality silages with suitable fermentation characteristics. Applied S1 at the national level could be reduced TDN and DCP gap by 73.88 and 66.67% and covering about 15.01% of maize grain gap (S1).While S2 and S3 reduced TDN and DCP by 104.9, 94.30% and 178.36, 160.97%, respectively. Meantime high quality feed resources as TDN and DCP would be increased by + 3.29 and + 0.19 million ton, respectively at the national level. Key word: Maize (Zea mays L.); Maize teosinte (Zea Mexicana Schrad) hybrid; Nutritive value; Silage quality Feed gape (TDN and DCP) in Egypt.