This study aimed to estimate the combining ability and inbreeding depression of corn hybrids for agronomic traits and forage quality. Nine corn hybrids, 36 F1 combinations from a diallel, 9 S1 populations and two checks were evaluated in two experiments in a randomized complete block design with three replications, in the 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 growing seasons. The parents Impacto, CD304 and DKB390 are recommended to form a composite to be subjected to a recurrent selection program aiming to improve forage production. Crosses between Impacto and parents DKB390, P30P34 and P30B39 are promising to increase forage quality by reducing the fiber content and also by increasing the protein content, being recommended for extracting inbred lines and interpopulation improvement. High inbreeding depression for grain yield was detected, indicating that non-additive effects contributed to the inheritance of the trait.
Zea mays ; diallelic analysis; breeding