Abstract:
The present investigation was undertaken to study the combining ability and heterosis for grain yield and its components in F
1 generation of wheat through Line X Tester analysis. Experiment was conducted with 2 replications and 54 genotypes consisting 10 lines
viz., 33
rdESWYT150, 20
thHRWYT213, 20
thHRWYT235, 45
thIBWSN1021, 14
thFHBSN6418, 36
thSAWSN3065, PBW658, KB2013-03, KB2013, VW921 and 4 testers
viz., GW273, GW366, RVW 4106, SUJATA and their 40 crosses made in L X T mating fashion in randomized block design at experimental Research Farm, College of Agriculture, Gwalior, (M.P.) during 2014-2015. Genetic analysis revealed that GCA and SCA variances were significant for all characters, thereby, indicating all traits under the control of both additive and non-additive components inheritance. The predictability ratios were more than unity, inferring the predominance of additive gene action governing the traits. Good general combiners on the basis of GCA effects were 33
rdESWYT150, PBW658, KB2013-03, KB2013 and VW921, GW273 and SUJATA. These parents involved in F
2 generations may yield superior transgressive recombinant and may exploit either through pedigree selection or progeny selection or mass selection. Segregating generations of good specific combination, ‘KB2013-03 × SUJATA’, ‘PBW658 × SUJATA’, ‘KB2013 × GW273’ and ‘VW921 × SUJATA’ consisting good general combining parent would be highly desirable for effective selection. The cross 33
rdESWYT150 × RVW4106 followed by KB2013-03 × SUJATA and KB2013-03 × RVW4106 was recognized as best heterotic cross as well as high
per se performance for grain yield and it exhibited highly significant positive heterosis over both the better and mid parent.