This study presents theory and analysis of partial diallel crosses based on Hayman's methods. This genetic design consists of crosses among two parental groups. It should be used when there are two groups of parents, for example, dent and flint maize inbred lines, and the breeder is not interested in the assessment of crosses between parents of the same group. Analyses are carried out using data from the parents and their F1 hybrids allowing a detailed characterization of the polygenic systems under study and the choice of parents for hybridization. Diallel analysis allows the estimation of genetic and non-genetic components of variation and genetic parameters and to assess the following: genetic variability in each group; genotypic differences between parents of distinct groups; if a parent has a common or a rare genotype in the group to which it does not belong; if there is dominance; if dominant genes increase or decrease trait expression (direction of dominance); average degree of dominance in each group; the relative importance of mean effects of genes and dominance in determining a trait; if, in each group, the allelic genes have the same frequency; if genes are equally frequent in the two groups; the group with the greatest frequency of favorable genes; the group in which dominant genes are most frequent; the relative number of dominant and recessive genes in each parent; if a parent has a common or a rare genotype in the group to which it belongs, and the genotypic differences between parents of the same group. An example with common bean varieties is considered.
