Line × tester analysis and estimating combining abilities for the physiological and yield traits in bread wheat

Abstract

The present study focuses to determine the combining abilities for 12 wheat genotypes for the physiological and yield traits by using line × tester mating design. Eight lines and four testers, as parents, and resulting 32 cross combinations were evaluated in randomized complete block design during the 2018-19 cropping season. The ANOVA indicated that variability exists for all the traits under study. The parent 14 showed higher GCA effects for the SC and T while parent 19 and 6 have highest GCA effects for the P and WUE. The parent 14 was a good general combiner for the flag leaf area and spike weight while parent 19 for the seed weight and plant height. However, parent 18 showed highest GCA effect for spike length. Overall, parents 14, 18, 19 and 6 were good general combiners for most of the traits. And the cross combination coded 32 was a potential hybrid for all the spike weight, seed weight and yield per row while 29 showed highest SCA estimates for the physiological traits except WUE. The hybrid 28 showed superior SCA effects for spike length and plant height and hybrid 4 was a potential hybrid for FLA. So, these parents and cross combinations can be used in the selection process of varietal improvement for an ideal yield potential. This will also lead to the fixation of additive as well as non-additive genetic components for the improvement of the yield components in wheat.