Vol. 12, Issue 4 (2023)

Author(s):
Y Madhavi, RVSK Reddy and C Sreenivasa Reddy

Abstract:
In this comprehensive study, the assessment of General Combining Ability (GCA) and Specific Combining Ability (SCA) was conducted using six distinct tomato lines (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and three carefully chosen testers. Following a systematic line x tester breeding methodology, the research aimed to identify superior general combiners for crucial agronomic traits. Notably, parental lines like LE-56 showcased significant GCA effects in a favorable direction for traits such as days to 50% flowering, number of flowers per cluster, number of fruits per cluster, and overall fruit yield per plant. LE-64, on the other hand, stood out for its substantial GCA effects in terms of fruit length and average fruit weight. Among the testers, Pusa Gaurav, Pant T-3, and Punjab Chhuhara demonstrated high GCA effects for specific traits, positioning them as superior general combiners. Furthermore, specific combinations, such as LE-64 × Pusa Gaurav, LE-62 × Pant T-3, LE-56 × Punjab Chhuhara, and LE-67 × Pant T-3, emerged as the most promising with exceptional SCA effects, thereby holding substantial potential for future heterosis breeding strategies in tomato cultivation. These findings contribute valuable insights to tomato breeding programs, aiding in the selection of optimal parental lines and specific crosses to enhance the efficiency and success of breeding initiatives.