Heterosis, Genetic Distance and Path Coefficient Analysis in Dent, Flint and Popcorn Hybrids By

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important food crops in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA); however its production is constrained by many factors. Grain yield is compromised by poor genetic performance and poor agronomic management. This calls for need to develop hybrids and exploiting heterosis of single crosses which are adapted to challenging environments. Currently, there is no popcorn hybrids developed in South Africa which is adapted to local conditions. As such, there is need to develop hybrids that cater for small-scale farmers in marginal environments. The objectives of the study were to determine i) standard heterosis, levels of variation and heritability for phenotypic traits in dent and flint maize hybrids; ii) the association between genetic distances and phenotypic traits in dent and flint maize hybrids; iii) mid-parent heterosis in popcorn hybrids, iv) the effect of secondary traits on grain yield in dent, flint and popcorn hybrids; v) genetic diversity and the relationship between traits in widely grown selected hybrids in Southern Africa; and vii) to compare effectiveness of phenotypic analysis models for determining genetic distances between hybrids. Popcorn, dent and flint hybrids were evaluated at two sites. The data was analyse