Genetic diversity in tropical maize inbred lines: heterotic group assignment and hybrid performance determined by RFLP markers

Tropical maize inbred lines, eight derived from a Thai synthetic population (BR‐105) and 10 from a Brazilian composite population (BR‐106), were assayed for restriction fragment length polymorphisms with 185 clone‐enzyme combinations. The aim of this study was to investigate genetic distances among tropical maize material and their relationship to heterotic group allocation and hybrid performance. Genetic distances (GDs) were on average greater for BR‐105×BR‐106 lines (0.77) than for BR‐106×BR‐106 (0.71) and for BR‐105×BR‐105 (0.69) lines. Cluster analysis resulted in a clear separation of BR‐105 and BR‐106 populations and was according to pedigree information. Correlations of parental GDs with single crosses and their heterosis for grain yield were high for line crosses from the same heterotic group and low for line combinations from different heterotic groups. Our results suggest that RFLP‐based GDs are efficient and reliable to assess and allocate genotypes from tropical maize populations into heterotic groups. However, RFLP‐based GDs are not suitable for predicting the performance of line crosses from genetically different heterotic groups.     

Genetic Diversity for RFLPs in European Maize Inbreds

Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) have been proposed for predicting the yield potential of different types of cross. Their has been evaluated in 15 flint and 12 dent inbreds from the European maize (Zea mays L.) germplasm as well as in 68 F₁ crosses (21 flint × flint, 14 dent × dent, and 33 flint × dent) produced between them. The materials were evaluated for F₁ performance and midparent heterosis of grain yield, dry matter content (DMC) and plant height in two environments in Germany. Genetic distances (GDs) between parental lines, calculated from RFLP data of 194 clone-enzyme combinations, showed greater means for flint × dent (0.67) than dent × dent (0.62) and flint × flint (0.55) crosses. Cluster analysis based on GDs resulted in a clear separation of flint and dent lines and agreed well with pedigree information. For the complete set of 64 crosses analyzed (excluding 4 crosses between closely related lines) correlations of GD with F₁ performance and heterosis were significant for all traits except F₁ performance of DMC. When separate calculations were performed for individual subjets of crosses, correlations of GD with Fl performance and heterosis were significantly positive (0.48 ≤ r ≤ 0.80) for all traits in the flint × flint crosses, but not significant for the subsets of flint × dent and dent × dent crosses. Our results confirm those of previous investigations in that the predictive value of RFLP data is restricted to crosses between lines from the same heterotic group, and cannot be applied to crosses between lines from genetically divergent heterotic groups.     

Prospects for hybrid breeding in winter triticale: II. Relationship between parental genetic distance and specific combining ability

Significant relative midparent heterosis (MPH%) for grain yield in triticale (×Triticosecale Wittm.) has generated interest in the development of hybrid cultivars. The objectives of this study were to (i) examine the association between parental genetic distance (GD) and specific combining ability (SCA), (ii) investigate the existence of genetically distant heterotic groups in elite germplasm, and (iii) draw conclusions for future hybrid breeding in winter triticale. Genetic distance between 61 lines was estimated, based on 93 polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker loci and 10 AFLP (amplified fragment length polymorphism) primer‐enzyme combinations (PEC). Agronomic data of 206 F₁ crosses and their 61 parental lines grown in six German environments were published recently in a companion study. Correlations were made between SCA for grain yield, number of spikes/m², 1000‐kernel weight and number of kernels per spike with GD estimates of the 56 female and five male parents (testers). Principal co‐ordinate analyses (PCoA) based on SSR data revealed no distinct subgroups in the germplasm. Correlations between GD and SCA were low for all traits (|r| ≤ 0.31), which hampers the prediction of SCA from molecular data. A multi‐stage procedure is recommended for future hybrid breeding in triticale by applying a pragmatic approach for the grouping of germplasm following the early history of hybrid breeding of maize.     

玉米自交系杂种优势类群与杂优模式构建的初步研究

以１５个来源不同的玉米自交系及其１０５个双列杂交组合为材料,通过ＲＡＰＤ分析技术及试验材料的多点田间鉴定,初步研究了玉米自交系杂种优势类群的划分和利用模式的构建。根据ＲＡＰＤ分类与杂种优势分类,系谱追踪的比较研究。认为ＲＡＰＤ技术在玉米自交系杂种优势群划分上应用是可行的。通过对杂优类群间Ｆ１产量,杂种优势与配合力的测定结果的综合分析,提出了７个杂种优势利用模式。     

Relationship between hybrid performance and AFLP based genetic distance in highland maize inbred lines

The objectives of this study were to determine the crossing performance of highland maize inbred lines for grain yield, days to silk and plant height; estimate genetic distance (GD) among the inbred lines and in association with tester parents, and to investigate the relationship of GD with hybrid performance and midparent heterosis (MPH). A total of 26 inbred lines were crossed with six (population and line) testers in a factorial-mating scheme. The F_1’s and the parents were evaluated at five locations in Ethiopia. Nine amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) primer pairs were used to genotype all the parents. The F_1’s were found to vary widely for grain yield and other traits measured. Yield superiority of more than 30% over the best hybrid check was obtained for some testcross hybrids. Midparent heterosis on average was moderate for grain yield and, plant height. And for days to silking, MPH values were mostly negative. Mean GD values determined from the inbred lines by population tester (0.680) and line tester (0.661) combinations were not significantly different. Cluster analysis separated the tester parents from the corresponding inbred lines. AFLP grouping of the inbred lines was in agreement with their pedigree records. Genetic distances derived from the inbred lines × all testers and from the population testers’ sub-group were not positively correlated with hybrid performance and MPH for most traits. In contrast, correlations of GDs involving the line testers’ sub-group with F_1’s and MPH were significantly positive but with low magnitude to be of predictive value.     

Testcross performance and diversity analysis of white maize lines derived from backcrosses containing exotic germplasm

Introgression from exotic maize (Zea mays L.) into adapted breeding pools can broaden and diversify the genetic base of adapted germplasm. The first objective of this study was to determine the agronomic performance of white maize lines derived from adapted × exotic backcrosses in tropical environments. Six exotic white maize inbred lines were crossed to an adapted white line (1368) and the F₁s were backcrossed to 1368. Forty-one BC₁F₄ lines derived from these backcrosses and the recurrent parent were crossed with a common inbred tester (9071) and the progeny were evaluated at eight environments in Nigeria. The testcrosses × environment interaction mean square was not significant for all agronomic traits. The BC-derived lines containing exotic germplasm contributed significantly to the variation in testcross mean grain yields and other agronomic traits. Among the 41 testcrosses, only 5 yielded significantly less than 1368 × 9071, with the 7 best testcrosses producing between 304 and 867 kg ha⁻¹ more grain than 1368 × 9071. The second objective of this study was to assess the genetic divergence of the BC-derived white lines from their adapted recurrent parent. Thirty-nine BC-derived white lines along with 1368 and 9071 were genotyped with ten AFLP primer pairs that generated 506 polymorphic fragments. The average allelic diversity of the lines was 31 ± 0.07. The genetic distance (GD) estimates of each BC-derived line from 1368 varied from 0.76 to 0.84, with a mean of 0.80 ± 0.003. The average GD for all pairs of the BC-derived lines was 0.63 ± 0.005, varying from 0.31 to 0.89. The observed significant amount of variation among the BC-derived white lines suggests that they can contribute new alleles for expanding the genetic base of tropical maize and for developing high-yielding hybrids.     

AFLP–SSR maps of maize × teosinte and maize × maize: comparison of map length and segregation distortion

Two genetic linkage maps of Zea mays were constructed: one population comprised 94 F₂ individuals of a dent ‘B64’ × teosinte (Z. mays ssp. huehuetenangensis) cross while the second consisted of 94 F₂ individuals of a ‘B64’ × Caribbean flint ‘Na4’ cross. The level of polymorphism was higher in the ‘B64’ × teosinte combination than the ‘B64’ × ‘Na4’ combination. In the ‘B64’ × teosinte cross, a total of 338 amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and 75 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were mapped to 10 chromosomes, which covered 1402.4 cM. In the ‘B64’ × ‘Na4’ cross, a total of 340 AFLP and 97 SSR markers were mapped to 10 chromosomes, covering 1662.8 cM. Segregation distortion regions were found on chromosomes 4, 5 and 8 in the ‘B64’ × teosinte cross and on chromosome 9 in the ‘B64’ × ‘Na4’ cross. Comparison of the two maps revealed that the maize × teosinte map was 11.5% shorter than the maize × maize map. The maps generated in this study may be useful to identify genes controlling flooding tolerance.     

Genomic prediction of sunflower hybrid performance

Predicting single‐cross performance is of high importance to improve the efficiency of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) hybrid breeding programmes. We used experimental data from inter‐ and intragroup sunflower hybrids and their parental lines adapted to Central Europe to (i) study the genetic diversity and combining ability and (ii) examine the accuracy to predict hybrid performance based on phenotypic and genomic data. We evaluated 133 intragroup and 104 intergroup hybrids with their parental lines in replicated trials at four environments for grain yield, oil yield and oil content. Furthermore, the parental lines were fingerprinted with 572 AFLP markers. Variance due to specific combining ability was comparable for intergroup and intragroup crosses. This suggested a lack of clearly defined heterotic groups for the sample of studied sunflower lines. Prediction accuracy of hybrid performance based on general combining ability effects was high and could not be increased using genomic selection approaches. For situations where no information on GCA effects of parental lines was available, hybrid prediction based on genomic selection methods was accurate for groups of related lines. For groups of unrelated lines, however, we observed a strong decrease in the prediction accuracy. This suggests that prediction of hybrid performance for crosses based on genetically distant parents remains challenging.     

源于陕A群、陕B群玉米自交系在不同密度条件下配合力分析

采用NC-II遗传设计,以郑58、昌7-2为测验种,与17份高密度条件下筛选的玉米自交系组配成34份杂交组合,2014—2015年分别于陕西杨凌、长武、榆林进行3种密度(45 000、67 500和90 000株hm–2)配合力分析试验。采用PROC VARCOMP分析不同密度条件下产量及耐密性相关性状的遗传效应,采用频率直方分布图研究不同密度条件下产量及耐密性相关性状一般配合力(GCA)平均数的变化规律,利用AMMI评价玉米自交系与杂交组合的稳定性。结果表明,产量、倒伏率、茎秆强度主要受加性遗传效应控制,空秆率主要受非加性遗传效应控制。加性遗传效应对产量及耐密性相关性状的贡献率随种植密度的增加呈上升趋势。玉米自交系产量、空秆率、倒伏率、茎秆强度的一般配合力频率均属于正态分布,随着种植密度的增加,产量GCA的平均值提高了0.28,空秆率GCA平均值降低了0.21,倒伏率GCA平均值降低了0.03,茎秆强度GCA平均值增加了0.02。玉米杂交组合产量与玉米自交系产量GCA密切相关(r=0.877**,r=0.811**,r=0.672**)。随着种植密度的增加,表现稳定的玉米自交系及杂交组合的数量呈上升趋势。因此,强化逆境选择压力,实施高密度选择策略,是增强玉米自交系耐密性和抗倒性,提升一般配合力,实现产量增益的有效措施。     

Genetic characterization of 218 elite CIMMYT maize inbred lines using RFLP markers

Characterization of genetic diversity among maize inbred lines can facilitate organization of germplasm and improve efficiency of breeding programs. A set of 218 phenotypically diverse inbred maize lines developed at CIMMYT for hybrid production was characterized using 32 RFLP markers to: (1) analyze the genetic diversity present; (2) define potential heterotic groups based on clusters formed with marker data; and (3) identify the most representative testers for each potential heterotic group. Lines were clustered using five different genetic distance measurements to find consensus non-hierarchical clusters. Dendrograms were produced to study hierarchical classification within smaller groups of lines. A very high average allelic diversity was seen in this germplasm. Lines did not cluster based on phenotype, environmental adaptation, grain color or type, maturity, or heterotic response (as determined based on hybrid performance with testers), but lines related by pedigree usually did cluster together. Previously defined testers from opposite heterotic groups were not genetically differentiated, and did not represent well their heterotic group. Discrete clusters were difficult to find; thus, potential heterotic groups will be difficult to suggest using RFLP markers alone. However, suggestions on how to use molecular markers and cross performance information to refine heterotic groups and select representative testers are presented.     

四川地方玉米种质的SSR聚类分析

利用SSR分子标记方法研究28个玉米自交系的遗传变异。分析四川地方玉米种质的遗传基础,并进行SSR聚类分析,探讨四川地方玉米种质与国内主要杂种优势群的关系。结果表明：大部分四川地方玉米种质均可被划分到常见的几大杂种优势群中去,少数地方玉米自交系可形成单独的类群,四川地方玉米种质具有广泛的遗传基础;SSRs能较真     

Genetic diversity of Tainan-white maize inbred lines and prediction of single cross hybrid performance using RAPD markers

To evaluate the genetic diversity of 13 maize inbred lines, and to determine the correlation between genetic distance and single cross hybrid performance, we employed the randomly amplified polymorphic DNA(RAPD)- a PCR-based technique. Six of these lines came from the Taichung population, and others derived from seven different sites. Forty different primers were used to give a total of 646 reproducible amplification products, 547 (84.7%) of them being polymorphic. Genetic divergence was determined using Jaccard's similarity coefficient, and a final dendrogram was constructed by UPGMA (unweighted pair-group method with arithmetical averages) cluster analysis in the CLUSTER procedure of the SAS system. The RAPD analysis was a useful tool in determining the extent of genetic diversity among Tainan-white maize inbred lines in the present case. Cluster analysis showed that the 13 inbred lines could be classified into distinct heterotic groups. There was no significant linear regression of grain dry weight heterosis value and mean performance of hybrids on genetic distance. And their coefficients of determination(R²) are small, so that predictive value is limited. The present results showed that the Jaccard's similarity coefficients based on RAPD data cannot be used to precisely predict the F₁ hybrids yield performance and heterosis value. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Combining ability,heterosis and genetic diversity in tropical maize (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Zea mays</Emphasis> L.) under stress and non-stress conditions

Drought and low soil fertility are considered the most important abiotic stresses limiting maize production in sub-Saharan Africa. Knowledge of the combining ability and diversity of inbred lines with tolerance to the two stresses and for those used as testers would be beneficial in setting breeding strategies for stress and nonstress environments. We used 15 tropical maize inbred lines to (i) evaluate the combining ability for grain yield (GY), (ii) assess the genetic diversity of this set of inbred lines using RFLP, SSR, and AFLP markers, (iii) estimate heterosis and assess the relationship between F₁ hybrid performance, genetic diversity and heterosis, and (iv) assess genotype × environment interaction of inbred lines and their hybrids. The F₁ diallel hybrids and parental inbreds were evaluated under drought stress, low N stress, and well-watered conditions at six locations in three countries. General combining ability (GCA) effects were highly significant (P < 0.01) for GY across stresses and well-watered environments. Inbred lines CML258, CML339, CML341, and CML343 had the best GCA effects for GY across environments. Additive genetic effects were more important for GY under drought stress and well-watered conditions but not under low N stress, suggesting different gene action in control of GY. Clustering based on genetic distance (GD) calculated using combined marker data grouped lines according to pedigree. Positive correlation was found between midparent heterosis (MPH) and specific combining ability (SCA), GD and GY. Hybrid breeding program targeting stress environments would benefit from the accumulation of favorable alleles for drought tolerance in both parental lines.     

Genetic diversity of tropical maize inbred lines combining resistance to Striga hermonthica with drought tolerance using SNP markers

Striga hermonthica and drought are the major stresses limiting maize yields in sub‐Saharan Africa. The search for diverse maize lines’ tolerance to drought and resistance to S. hermonthica (DTSTHR) is very crucial for yield improvement in areas affected by the two stresses. Understanding the genetic diversity among the lines is important to develop cultivars resistant to S. hermonthica and tolerant to drought. The lines were developed from biparental crosses of drought‐tolerant and Striga‐resistant lines. A total of 128 DTSTHR maize lines were characterized using single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. Results of the cluster analysis based on 3297 SNP markers showed four distinct groups consistent with the pedigrees of the lines. Furthermore, model‐based analysis also formed the same groups of the DTSTHR lines. Integrating the pedigree information with combining ability and the SNP analyses may provide defined heterotic groups for maize improvement work in West and Central Africa. These results also help breeders to utilize DTSTHR lines present at IITA for developing biparental crosses without disrupting the heterotic groups they have established in their breeding programmes.     

Signatures of divergent selection for cold tolerance in maize

Divergently selected genotypes can be used for detecting the genomic regions affecting the selected trait (selection signature). Moreover, the genetic distances (GDs) among divergently selected lines can be correlated with the agronomic performances of the crosses among them. Using as source the maize F₂ of B73?×?IABO78, we previously conducted four cycles of divergent recurrent selection and three cycles of divergent selection in inbreeding for cold tolerance at germination. We finally obtained 10 lines selected for low (L) and 10 lines selected for high (H) cold tolerance, which exhibited a notable divergence for both the selected and associated traits. Herein, we investigated the 20 lines and the 28 single diallel crosses among eight random lines (four L and four H); the main objectives were to identify the putative regions controlling the selected and associated traits and to study the relationships between crosses performances and GDs among their parental lines. Allele frequencies at 932 recombination blocks based on 19,220 polymorphic SNPs were obtained for the two lines’ groups; the F _ST calculated across sliding windows indicated 18 regions highly divergent between groups. The increasing alleles for cold tolerance were contributed by both parents, consistently with the transgressive segregations previously found. Several regions associated to DG also affected various agronomic traits. The cross performances showed some relationships with the genetic distances among parental lines for traits affected by dominance, provided that all crosses were considered, while these relationships vanished when only L?×?H crosses were examined.     

Barley mutant heterosis and fixation of'F1-performance'in doubled haploid lines

The phenomenon of mutant heterosis was studied in barley using F₁ hybrids developed from crosses involving two mutants derived from the same parent variety (067AR× 032AR), or from crosses of mutants with their parent varieties (Diva × 228DV; 437MG × Mg 4170). The agronomic performance (plant height, tillers per plant, kernel number and weight per plant) of F₁ hybrids was evaluated in relation to the corresponding parent variety used for mutant development. Wide-space sowing (0.O6 m²/plant) was applied to allow the full expression of hybrid vigour. The hybrids significantly exceeded their parent varieties in various yield parameters in each year of the experiment, Depending on the cross, the level of heterosis ranged from 39.45% to 82.1% for kernel number and from 44.45% to 91.2% for kernel weight, as an average of observations over three years. The increased yield of hybrids was accompanied by an increase in spikes/plant, without significant changes, in most cases, in yield components such as kernels/spike and 1000 kernel weight. The height of F₁ plants remained similar to the corresponding parent variety. Doubled haploicls (DH) were developed through anther culture from three F₁ hybrids to determine whether the heterotic effect could be fixed, even partly, in homozygous lines. Twenty-eight, 42 and 68 DH lines per cross were produced, and evaluated in the field, space-planted at 0.06 m²/plant, together with hybrids and parent varieties. The best-performing DH lines were evaluated again the following season in a conventional field trial. We were able to select 1.5 -14.3% of‘F₁,-performing’DH lines per hetorotic cross combination, which, in two years of studies, reached the yield of heterotic hybrids and significantly out-yielded the parent variety in plot. The yield potential of DH lines was better expressed under a wide sowing density, but even under normal growing conditions, the yield of the best selected DH lines surpassed their corresponding parent varieties by 17.77ndash;30.1%.     

导入热带种质的温带玉米自交系的利用潜力

用5个热带及亚热带玉米自交系和5个导入热带种质并经连续回交改良的温带玉米自交系, 采用Griffing双列杂交方法III杂交, 共配制90个杂交组合。2008年、2009年以大面积推广杂交种云瑞6号为对照, 对供试自交系进行配合力、杂种优势及利用潜力研究。结果表明, 导入热带种质并经连续回交改良的温带玉米自交系YML598、YML58的多数性状一般配合力效应为极显著正值, 在杂交育种中具有较大的利用潜力;单株产量配合力效应值与诸多产量影响因素的配合力效应值密切相关, 雌雄间隔期、秃尖与单株产量呈负相关, 而其他性状与单株产量呈正相关;产量对照优势H≥10%的组合大多为热带、亚热带种质×改良温带种质, 单株产量特殊配合力效应为极显著正值的组合均为热带、亚热带种质×改良温带种质, 说明热带、亚热带玉米种质与经热带种质改良后的温带玉米种质之间仍具有较强的杂种优势, 且导入热带种质的温带系与热带、亚热带供体系的杂种优势仍然存在, 其所属的杂种优势群并未改变。以热带、亚热带玉米种质为供体, 采用连续回交的方法改良温带玉米自交系是利用热带、亚热带玉米种质的有效方法。     

Relationship between molecular marker heterozygosity and hybrid performance in intra- and interspecific hybrids of cotton

The present study was conducted to investigate the relationship between parental molecular marker diversity and hybrid performance in both intra‐ and interspecific hybrids of cotton to evaluate the feasibility of predicting hybrid performance using molecular markers. Three cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) lines were crossed with 10 restorer lines to produce 22 F₁ hybrids during 2003. Of 22 F₁s, 14 hybrids were intraspecific (Gossypium hirsutum × G. hirsutum) and eight interspecific (G. hirsutum × G. barbadense). These 22 F₁ hybrids and their parents were evaluated for yield and fibre quality traits at Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China during 2004 and 2005. Genetic distances (GD) among the parents were calculated from 56 random‐amplified polymorphic DNAs (RAPD) and 66 simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker data, and their correlation with hybrid performance and heterosis were analysed. The parents could be discriminated into G. hirsutum and G. barbadense clusters by cluster analysis based on both RAPD and SSR markers data. The correlation (r = 0.503, P ≤ 0.05) was calculated between GD_rapd (GD based on RAPD markers) and GD_ssr (GD based on SSR markers). Correlation of GD with hybrid performance and heterosis differed considerably between intra‐ and interspecific hybrids. The correlation between GD and hybrid performance was non‐significant for most of traits within the hybrids of G. hirsutum species. However, it was significantly and positively correlated for fibre length, fibre strength and elongation in interspecific hybrids. The relationship between GD and heterosis was observed to be positively significant for boll weight within hybrids of G. hirsutum with significant and negative correlations for fibre length and elongation. In conclusion, the power of predicting hybrid performance using molecular markers in cotton is low. But, the relationship between SSR marker heterozygosity and hybrid performance can be used to predict fibre length during interspecific hybrid cotton breeding.     

Combining ability amongst CIMMYT’s early maturing maize (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Zea mays</Emphasis> L.) germplasm under stress and non-stress conditions and identification of testers

CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat Research Institute) Zimbabwe’s early maturing maize program, which aims to supply seed to approximately 4 million hectares of maize area in eastern and southern Africa, lacks adequate information on heterotic relationships among early maturing germplasm and has no early maturing testers for hybrid development. Open-pollinated varieties (OPVs) and hybrids are the products targeted for this region. Among the hybrids, three-way and double-cross hybrids are desired. Thus the use of single crosses as testers would be an appropriate choice for such a breeding program as one could potentially identify three-way combinations during the early generation test. A twelve-parent diallel was formed and crosses evaluated to identify heterotic groups and single-cross testers. Crosses were evaluated under four different environments in Zimbabwe, two optimal, one low nitrogen stress and one drought stress. P5 (an early maturing line from heterotic group A) and CML 395 (a late maturing inbred line from heterotic group B) were used as reference parents to establish heterotic groupings of germplasm used in the diallel. The single cross (P7/P8) was identified as a potential group A tester because of: (a) co-classification of inbred lines into heterotic group A, (b) good yields-9.8 t/ha (optimal), 3.4 t/ha (low nitrogen) and 2.1 t/ha (drought); and (c) good GCA effects for grain yield (0.49 t/ha) of line P7 while line P8 contributed to reduced height and anthesis-silking interval.     

Assessing the suitability of stress tolerant early-maturing maize (Zea mays) inbred lines for hybrid development using combining ability effects and DArTseq markers

Identification of hybrids for commercialization is crucial for sustainable maize production in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). One hundred and ninety test crosses, 10 tester × tester crosses + 10 hybrid checks were evaluated across 11 environments, 2017 to 2019. Inheritance of grain yield under Striga infestation, optimal and across environments was influenced by additive genetic action, but there was greater influence of nonadditive gene action under drought stress conditions. Nine, seven and two inbreds had significant and positive general combining ability (GCA) effects for grain yield under Striga-infested, optimal and drought stress environments, respectively, and would contribute high grain yield to their progenies. Heterotic grouping methods based on specific and GCA, GCA effects of multiple traits and DArTseq markers classified the inbreds into five, three and two heterotic groups, respectively, across research conditions. The DArTseq markers method that classified the inbred lines into two major heterotic groups and was one of the most efficient methods should be adopted for practical purposes in maize breeding programmes in SSA. Hybrids TZEI 7 × TZdEI 352, TZEI 1238 × TZEI 7 and TZEI 1252 × TZEI 7 had outstanding grain yield under contrasting environments and should be tested on-farm for commercialization in SSA.