Abstract Identification of heterotic groups and efficient testers, which are important prerequisites for the development of outstanding hybrids, has been a major challenge to its success, especially for early and extra‐early germplasm. This study was carried out to (a) identify the most efficient heterotic grouping method for classifying a set of inbred lines and (b) determine the efficiency of testers in classifying inbred lines into heterotic groups. A total of 205 hybrids obtained by crossing 41 inbred lines with five standard testers were evaluated together with five hybrid checks under drought, low soil nitrogen (N), Striga‐infested and optimal environments in Nigeria between 2014 and 2016. The heterotic group's specific and general combining ability (HSGCA) method was more effective in classifying the inbred lines into heterotic groups. Testers TZEI 17 and TZEI 23 were the most efficient across environments and could be invaluable for classifying other lines into heterotic groups and assessing combining ability of maize inbreds. In addition, these testers and heterotic groups represent an invaluable resource for development of outstanding hybrids in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA).

中文翻译：

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识别撒哈拉以南非洲早熟黄玉米（Zea mays）杂种优势群体和测试者


摘要 杂种优势群体和高效测试员的鉴定是优秀杂种培育的重要前提，也是其成功的主要挑战，尤其是早期和超早种质。进行本研究的目的是（a）确定对一组自交系进行分类的最有效的杂种优势分组方法，以及（b）确定测试人员将自交系分类为杂种优势组的效率。 2014年至2016年期间，在尼日利亚干旱、低氮（N）、独脚金侵染和最佳环境下，对41个自交系与5个标准测试员杂交获得的总共205个杂种进行了评估，并进行了5次杂交检查。一般配合力（HSGCA）方法在将自交系划分为杂种优势群体方面更有效。测试仪 TZEI 17 和 TZEI 23 是跨环境最有效的，对于将其他品系分类为杂种优势群体和评估玉米自交系的配合能力可能非常有价值。此外，这些测试者和杂种优势群体为撒哈拉以南非洲（SSA）开发优秀杂交种提供了宝贵的资源。