Abstract

Combining ability studies on yield components and quality parameters were carried out in aestivum wheat by using 12 lines and 4 testers, in a line x tester mating design. The study indicated that both GCA and SCA variances were important for most of the yield components and also for protein content and pelshenke value which can be improved by breeding methods that can exploit both additive and nonadditive gene systems like biparental mating. Nonadditive gence effects were of great importance in the genetic control of single plant yield and trytophan content. The line, p932 was proved to be the best general combiner among the lines with high gea effects for many yield components. For plant yield. Pusa5-3 and WLRI54 showed high gea. p104, p608 and Pusa5-3 among lines and HD2329 and DL 153-2 among testers were found to be suitable for the improvement of gluten quality. The cross HD2329 x P1035 was found to be the best cross with desirable sea effects for many characters, viz. tiller number per plant, spikelets/ spike, spike length, grains/spike, 1000 grain weight, yield/plant and protein percentage.

Keywords: Wheat, Combining ability, Yield, Quality, Gene effects.