Graphical estimation of genetic characteristics for maize inbred lines and selection of superior hybrids by genotype by yield*trait (GYT) biplot

Abstract

This study aims to investigate (i) the genetic characteristics of nine maize inbred lines for the three traits namely grain moisture percent (GMP) at harvest time, days to physiological maturity (DPM), and grain yield (GY), (ii) the selection of superior hybrids based on the simultaneous selection of traits, and (iii) the ability of inbred lines to transfer genetic characteristics to the selected hybrids. Therefore, thirty-six hybrids resulting from their one-way diallel crosses were planted during the two crop years of 2020 and 2021 in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The genetic characteristics estimation and multiple trait selection were made by GGE biplot and GYT biplot procedure, respectively. Based on the results parents a, b, and h showed a negative general combining ability (GCA) and parent a showed the negative GCA. Moreover, parents a, b, and h exhibited a negative GCA positive could improve GMP, DPM, and GY, respectively, (ii) in the GYT biplot, yield-trait combinations indicated the most stable cultivars so that the crosses g×e and c×a were ranked as the best combination of GMP and DPM traits with grain yield, respectively and (iii) among the studied inbred lines, parent a had been able to transfer its desired characteristics such as earliness and high grain yield to its progeny. Applying biplot analyses to the multiple trait data revealed that The GYT biplot combines traits with yield and can facilitate the visual identification of the best genotypes.