Maize breeding appears to be a key strategy to ensure global food security. Improving the grain yield and nutritional quality of maize can progress through breeding programs, where hybridization between two genetically contrasting inbreds might lead to producing superior hybrids. This phenomenon occurs as the developed hybrids are 100% heterozygous, and in consequence, expressing heterosis. However, to select parents for the ideal combinations, it is fundamental to understand the genetic status and the ability to combine the different inbreds. This review aimed to highlight the effectiveness of the general combining ability (GCA) and the specific combining ability (SCA) approaches to develop high-yielding and nutritionally enriched maize hybrids adapted to Malaysia´s conditions. Maize breeders have applied various breeding methods, including the biofortification technique to augment the grain yield and nutritional quality of the crop. This technique is the most sustainable, feasible, and affordable one, as it offers more nutritious plants with the required micronutrients. Although a considerable amount of research has succeeded in identifying potential inbred combinations for specific traits and sites, the application of combining ability methods toward developing high-yielding and nutritionally enriched maize hybrids adapted to Malaysia´s conditions has not been maximized. Therefore, it is important to understand the combining ability approaches to develop maize hybrids that could lead to the maximum output for combating the increasing maize global demand.
Combining ability, grain yield, nutritional quality, maize breeding, biofortification
This review points out the significance of the general and specific combining ability approaches to develop high-yielding and nutritionally enriched maize hybrids.