In 1996/97, 45 single cross supersweet maize hybrids, from a complete diallel cross involving ten inbred lines (S4) and their parents, were evaluated at Pesqueira and Vitória de Santo Antão, Brazil. A látice 7 x 8 design was used with two replications for each location. The general (GCA) and specific (SCA) combining ability effects and heterosis value were estimated for husked ear weight (HEW), unhusked ear weight (UEW) and ear rate (ER = UEW/HEW x 100). The general and specific combining ability effects were significant (P<0.01) for all characteristics. Inbreds L5 = 76.5%; L7 = 71.2% and L4 = 69.6% (Pesqueira); L4 = 70.8%; L5 = 69.4% and L7 = 65.3% (Vitória de Santo Antão) showed the highest (ER), and the highest GCA effects at both locations. The best crosses for ER were: L4 x L8 = 74.9% (Pesqueira) and L7 x L8 = 70.3% (Vitória de Santo Antão), with the highest SCA effects at both locations. For ER, heterosis values related to parental mean ranged from -20.19 to 24.01% (Pesqueira) and -18.02 to 16.76% (Vitória de Santo Antão). Heterosis values related to the higher yielding parent ranged from -23.52 to 22.99% (Pesqueira) and -22.05 to 12.03% (Vitória de Santo Antão).
Zea mays L.; combining ability; agronomic traits; heterosis
