Abstract

Combining ability for eight quantitative characters in saline rice cultivars was studied through Line X Tester analysis involving five saline susceptible lines and seven saline tolerant testers. The combining ability analysis revealed that variance due to lines x testers was significant for all the eight characters studied. The estimates of osca, o gca and their ratio indicated. preponderance of non-additive gene action for all the eight characters studied. Among the parents, CNA 4121, IR 61457-8-3-3-1, IR 10198-66-2 and IR 54717-C10-113-1-2-2-2 were found to be good general combiners for grain yield. Six crosses were identified as best hybrids based on their per se performance, high heterosis and high sca effects.

Keywords: Combining ability, heterosis, gca, sca, non-additive gene action