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.

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