Evaluation of combining ability and gene action in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) using Line x Tester analysis

Abstract

Eighteen hybrids generated from crossing six lines with three testers were studied along with their parents forcombining ability and gene action involved in the expression of characters in barley to identify suitable parentsand desirable hybrid combinations. Observations were recorded for days to ear emergence, days to maturity, thenumber of productive tillers per plant, ear length (cm.), grains per spike, biological yield per plant (g.), harvestindex (%), 1000-grain weight and grain yield per plant (g.). The mean squares for General Combining Ability(GCA) and Specific  Combining Ability (SCA) effects were found highly significant for all the traits studied. Amongthe parents, tester NDB-1173 and lines RD-2909, RD-2899 and RD-2768 were good general combiners for grainyield and its component traits. On the basis of SCA effects, RD-2909 x NDB-943, NDB-1618 x NDB-1173, RD2768 x NDB-3, HUB-240 x NDB-1173 and RD-2899 x NDB-943 for grain yield were observed as most promisingcrosses.