Seven baby corn families were crossed in a complete diallel scheme. The single-cross hybrids obtained were assessed at São Manuel Experimental Station of Crop Sciences School (Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas) of São Paulo State University -Botucatu (UNESP). The experiment was set up in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The experimental plot consisted of one row, 5 m long, with 50 plants. Rows were spaced 0.90 m apart. The traits assessed included: number of ears per plot (NE), weight of ears husked (MECP) and dehusked (MESP), length of ears husked (CECP) and dehusked (CESP), diameter of ears husked (DECP) and dehusked (DESP), plant height (PH) and ear height (EH). General and specific combining ability effects (GCA and SCA) were estimated by Griffing's Method 4, Model 1. There was predominance of additive effects for weigth of ears husked and dehusked. However, for other parameters, such as length of ears dehusked, diameter of ears husked and dehusked, plant height and ear height, there was equivalence of additive and non-additive gene effects. The family 27 is indicated for obtantion of superior genotypes from the estimates of combining abilities for number of ears per plot, weight of ears husked and dehusked.
Baby corn; S2 families; combining ability
