Combining ability analysis for seed yield and its attributes in Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern and Coss]

Abstract

The experimental material comprised of forty eight genotypes consisting of five Mori based CMS lines and seven Mori based fertile lines crossed in line x tester mating design. The resultant thirty five hybrids along with their twelve parents and standard check (GDM 4) were evaluated in randomized block design at Castor-Mustard Research Station, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar during, rabi 2018-2019. The analysis of variance for combining ability revealed that variance due to gca was significant for all the characters except number of seeds per siliqua, seed yield per plant and 1000 seed weight. Whereas, variance due to sca was significant for all the traits. This indicates significant contribution of hybrids for specific combining ability variance component. The ratio of σ2gca/σ2sca below than unity for days to maturity, siliqua length, number of seeds per siliqua, seed yield per plant, 1000 seed weight and oil content which suggested greater role of non-additive gene action in the inheritance of these traits. Among the parents, female SKM 9928 and Kranti were good general combiner for seed yield per plant, total number of branches per plant and total number of siliquae per plant. Whereas, male parent Mori R 1-18 was good general combiner for seed yield per plant, total number of branches per plant and total number of siliquae per plant. Best three hybrids which possessed significant positive SCA effects for seed yield per plant were SKM 301 x SKM 303, SKM 9928 x Pusa Agrani and Kranti x Mori ‘R’ 1-18.