Studies on combining ability effect on seed yield and it’s components in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.)

Abstract

Combining ability analysis of 10 x 10 diallel set of crosses in Indian mustard for eleven quantitative traits revealed preponderance of non-additive gene effects for all the eleven characters whereas additive gene effect was found to be predominant for the inheritance of most of the characters. Significant differences were observed for both general combining ability and specific combining ability for almost all the traits studied. The high magnitude of general combining ability and specific combining ability effects indicated the presence of both additive and non-additive gene interactions for the inheritance of different traits. Parents, CSR1020, CSR1027, CSR1066 and CSR1118 were exhibited to be good general combiners for seed yield per plant, as well as on the basis of specific combining ability effects out of forty five crosses twenty one crosses were observed better for seed yield per plant. In view of preponderance of non-additive gene action for seed yield per plant, hybrid breeding would be the most appropriate breeding methodology. However, to exploit both additive and non-additive gene actions as observed under the present investigation, biparental mating and inter se crossing between suitable lines following reciprocal recurrent selection may be employed. Most of the crosses involving high x low general combining parents exhibited high specific combining ability effects for various traits.