Studies on combining ability and gene action for grain yield, head rice recovery and other agronomic traits in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Abstract

Twenty-four rice hybrids were assessed for grain yield, head rice recovery andother traits alongside their parents to study combiningability.Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among genotypes for every trait examined. It indicated that non-additive gene action was predominant for most of the characters studied except days to50% flowering and 1000 grain weight whichwere controlled by additive gene action. CMS 64B, SN 223 and SN 232 were good general combiners for grain yieldand head rice recovery can be superior parents for hybridization programme. SCA effects showed that the hybrids,CMS52A×SN223,CMS64A×SN2397andCMS64A×BV166 were good specific combiners for grain yield, head rice recovery and other traits like panicle length, number of grains per panicle, , 1000 grain weight, number productive tillers per plant etc . In the future, these hybrids might be tested through multi-environment trials before being used commercially.