Identification of superior parents and cross combinations by using Line x tester Analysis in rabi sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench].

Abstract

Combining ability analysis is usually employed to identify the desirable parent and to study the nature of genetic variation. Keeping this in view , field experiments were conducted at Centre on Rabi Sorghum, ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research, Solapur during 2015-16 & 2016-17 to assess the combining ability for yield and its attributing traits in Rabi sorghum. The experimental material consisted of four lines viz. CSV 29R, Selection 3, M35-1, Phule chitra and four testers viz. Solapur Dagdi, CRS 20, DSV 5 and CRS 4. The crosses were affected in a line x Tester fashion. The crosses along with parents were evaluated in a Randomized Block Design with two replications . The results revealed that among the lines CSV 29R and M35-1 and among the testers CRS 20 and DSV 5 had recorded high per se and gca for yield and its contributing characters. Among the hybrids combinations CSV 29R x CRS 20 and CSV 29R x DSV 5 had significant and superior per se performance for grain yield per plant, fodder yield per plant, panicle length , panicle weight and 1000 seed weight. Results from specific combining ability studies , revealed that the crosses viz. CSV 29R x CRS 20, M35-1 x CRS 20, and CSV 29R x DSV 5 had significant sca effects for most of the characters. The hybrids CSV 29R x CRS 20, CSV 29R x DSv 5, and M35-1 x CRS 20 were from parents with high x high gca and CSV 29R x Solapur Dagdi, Selection 3 x CRS 4 and M35-1 x Solapur Dagdi were from parents with high x low gca combinations. Thus , six crosses are suggested for realization of transgressive segregants in F2 and subsequent generations.