GCA and SCA effects analysis for grain yield and related traits in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in early and normal sowing conditions

Abstract

The study was aimed for estimating GCA and SCA effects of 10 parents and 45 F1 hybrids of six-rowed barley in Rajasthan area. The experimental data recorded for two different environments showed that the out of 45 crosses, five parents each in early sowing (E1) for both the generations while one parent for F1 generation and four parents for F2 generation in normal sowing (E2) showed positive significant GCA effects. Whereas, eight and twelve crosses for F1 generation while eleven and eighteen crosses for F2 generation in early and normal sown conditions, respectively showed positive significant SCA effects. Over all appraisal of present investigation manifested that the parent BH 959 and RD 2786 emerged as good general combiners while among the crosses BHS 400 x BH 959, BH 959 x RD 2786 and PL 426 x RD 2552 emerged as good crosses for grain yield per plant as well as for other yield contributing characters in all the three environments and therefore, above study could be useful in developing desirable genotypes/hybrids/varieties with better yield or other associated traits under crop improvement.