Abstract

Combining ability effects were estimated in line x tester crossing programme for fifteen characters involving ten lines and four testers in Triticum durum. It revealed preponderance of non-additive gene action for grain yield plant along with other character like grain number / spike, 1000 grain weight, protein content, sedimentation value and B-carotene, which suggests scope for improvement of these characters through heterosis breeding and transgressive segregants for evolving high yielding superior genotypes. HI 8591, HI 8596 and HD 4692 among lines and Bij Red and HG 110 among testers were evaluated as good general combiners. Among hybrids, HD 4694 x Bij Red, HI 8381 x MPO 215, HI 8591 x MPO 215, HI 8591 xHG 110, HI 8596x MPO 215 and HI 8653 x Bij Red were the most promising ones as they had high SCA effect and per se performance for grain yield plant and its component characters. An attempt of multiple crosses with the use of all the above good general combiners would lead to obtain transgressive segregants for grain yield in advanced generations.

Keywords: Combining ability, T.durum, line x tester, Gene action.