Abstract

                                General and specific combining ability variances and their effects were studied for 18 cross combinations in Line X Tester mating design. The study includes Cane yield and quality characters in sugarcane. Study indicated the predominance of non additive gene action for all the characters studied.Among the lines CoC 671 and Co 86032 were good general combiners for cane height, cane diameter, single cane weight, cane yield per plot, sugar yield per plot, CCS% at harvest, brix%, sucrose content and purity coefficient. Erianthus procerus was a good male donor for cane height, single cane weight, number of millable canes, and sugar yield per plot. Based on sca effects and mean performance three crosses, CoC 671 X Erianthus procerus, Co 86032 X Erianthus procerus and CoC 671 X Saccharum spontaneum were found promising for cane yield. The potential donor for brix could be selected on basis of gca effects of the female parent.

Key words : Saccharum sp. Complex, line x tester, Combining ability