Genetic Potential of Tropically Adapted Exotic Maize (Zea mays L.) Heat-Tolerant Donor Lines in Sub-Tropical Breeding Programs

Genetic Potential of Tropically Adapted Exotic Maize (Zea mays L.) Heat-Tolerant Donor Lines in Sub-Tropical Breeding Programs

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Breeding for heat stress tolerance became a priority in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), as projections are showing an increase in frequency, duration, and severity.In this study, 14 heat stress tolerant-donor lines (HSTDLs) sourced from CIMMYT-India (males) were crossed with 15 locally adapted elite lines (females) developed within the CIMMYT-Zimbabwe maize-breeding ULTIMATE MULTI PROBIOTIC program using the North Carolina Design II mating scheme.The resultant 175 single crosses were evaluated alongside five commercial hybrids and DVI-I Connecting Cable adjacent to the trial of parental lines used in the crosses across two locations representing heat stress and optimal environments in Zimbabwe.The design II analysis showed significant (p p p p per se performance under heat, optimal conditions, and across environments.Overall data demonstrate the potential of exotic HSTDLs for improving the adaptation of maize to heat stress in sub-tropical breeding programs.