Vol. 12, Issue 12 (2023)

Author(s):
Hilay Dudhat, AG Pansuriya, NC Chovatiya, MJ Parmar and DM Vekaria

Abstract:
The present investigation was undertaken in order to estimate the combining ability and gene action for grain yield and its components in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) for 13 characters. The crosses were attempted by using line × tester mating design among 8 lines and 4 testers during rabi 2019. The resultant 32 hybrids together with 12 parents and 1 standard check (GW 451) were tested using randomized block design with three replications at Wheat Research Station, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh during rabi 2020-21. Combining ability analysis revealed that both GCA and SCA variances were more or less important for inheritance of most of the characters under study. However, the magnitude of SCA variance was higher than GCA variance for all the characters (except number of spikelets per main spike) indicated the predominance of non-additive gene action in the inheritance of these characters. The line J 16-08 and tester GW 499 were good general combiners for grain yield per plant and some of its component traits. Seven crosses exhibited significant and positive SCA effects for grain yield per plant. Among them, the highest SCA effects was manifested by the cross GW 513 × GW 11 followed by HD 3086 × HI 1544 and AKAW 4901 × GW 366. The cross HD 3086 × HI 1544 was also found good specific combiner for harvest index. Likewise, the cross AKAW 4901 × GW 366 exhibited significant SCA effect for flag leaf area, 100-grain weight and harvest index. So these could be further exploited in practical plant breeding programme.