The objective of this work was to estimate the effects of general and specific combining ability of wheat parental lines in advanced generations, and to select superior segregating populations. Twelve parental lines and their 36 populations in F2 and F3 generations, obtained in a partial diallel arrangement, were evaluated for grain yield. The experimental design used was a 7x7 simple lattice with two replicates, plus a treatment to complete the lattice. The effect of general combining ability was significant in both generations. There was high correlation (0.83) of the effects of general combining ability between generations, but inexpressive influence of the effects of generations and years were observed on the classification of crossings. The populations derived from the crossings between the parental lines BRS 254, BRS 264, and IAC 364 (Tucuruí III) and the parental lines MGS 1 Aliança, VI 98053, and UFVT 1 Pioneiro show the greatest potential for obtaining superior lines for grain yield. The use of the partial diallel analysis in advanced generations is promising for wheat breeding programs through hybridization.
Triticum aestivum; combining ability; crop breeding; prediction of genetic potential
