Combining Ability of Inbred Lines of Maize (Zea mays) in Kiambu and Embu Counties, Kenya

Despite the fact that virtually all households in Kenya grow maize, over 60% of them are net maize buyers because they do not produce enough for their consumption. This is due to both biotic and abiotic factors such as poor planting materials, diseases and unreliable weather among others. This study was conducted to select lines with good combining ability. The trials were conducted in 2012 at experimental stations of Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) Muguga South and Embu in Kiambu and Embu counties of Kenya respectively. The study was conducted with 18 inbred lines. The experiment was laid out in a 6 x 6 lattice incomplete randomized block design with two replications. In Embu inbred line POPA produced the best grain yields when crossed with MUL 541 and MUL 521. Its high grain yield was also witnessed in Muguga where on average its performance was superior to other inbred lines. Inbred line MUL 513 can further be evaluated for grain yield improvement with all the other inbred lines which had high grain yields. The best general combiners for grain yield were MUL 508, MUL 688, POP A, MUL 541, MUL 513 and MUL 114. POP A x MUL 541 produced the highest yield of 0.49 t/ha. Based on SCA estimates, the best cross combinations for plant height were MUL 508 x MUL 688, POP A x MUL541 and MUL513 x MUL114. For ear height best cross combinations were: MUL 508 x MUL 688, POP A x MUL 141, POP A x MUL 541 and MUL 513 x MUL 114. The best combinations for grain yield were MUL 508 x MUL 688, POP A x MUL 541 and MUL 513 x MUL 114. Crosses MUL508 x MUL 521, MUL 541 x MUL 508, and MUL 688 x MUL508 were good combinations for MSV disease resistance since in both research sites they had an MSV score of 1. For grain yield improvement on specific combining ability crosses MUL 508 x MUL 688, POP A x MUL 141, MUL 513 x MUL 114 and MUL 513 x CN244 can further be evaluated and eventually released to farmers as they indicated promising relationship with yield potential compared to other crosses. Crosses MUL 508 x MUL 516, POP A x MUL 141 and POP A x MUL 688 can further be evaluated for disease resistance. The results will be useful to breeders and farmers in selecting the potential parental materials for improvement in maize breeding programs.