ADOPTION of quality protein maize in Egyptian maize breeding programs would maximize
the nutritional value of maize products. However, the assessment of adaptability of exotic
quality protein maize germplasms is an important step before incorporating them in breeding
programs. The current studies consisted of two experiments including a preliminary evaluation
of some exotic quality protein maize inbreds and combine eight adapted elite inbreds into a halfdiallel cross. The current study revealed that CML158 exhibited the highest significant general
combining ability effect with an average grain yield/plant of 53.0g. While CML492 contained
the highest percentages of both protein (14.5%) and tryptophan (1.02%) with the highest values
of general combining ability effects. Based on specific combining ability, the best parental
combination for grain yield/plant was CML182×CML184, which yielded 239g and exceeded the
average grain yield/plant of all hybrids (201.5g). It seems that CML143 possesses favorable alleles
for increasing the percentage of protein (CML143×CML557) and tryptophan (CML158×CML491
and CML143×CML182) because it was a common parent in the best parental combinations for
both traits. Mid-parent heterosis % varied from trait to trait; however, the highest amount of
heterosis was detected in grain yield/plant due to its polygenic state. In conclusion, superior
hybrids in yield and quality were detected. These hybrids need further evaluations across years
and locations to assess stability. These hybrids can be considered as a cheap and sustainable source
of high protein and tryptophan content for human consumption, which might play a magnificent
role in food security in Egypt.