Genetic and combining ability analysis in wheat

A research experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2013–14 at college of Agriculture, farm Gwalior (M.P.). Thirty-one genotypes consisting 7 lines, 3 testers and 21 crosses were studied for genetic and combining ability analysis in Line X Tester mating design. An experiment was conducted in randomized block design with two replications. Grain yield and 1000 grain weight were under the control of both additive and non-additive inheritance. However, Additive variances were higher than non-additive variance components. Among parents, GW 173, DL 803-3 and GW 190 showed significant positive general combining ability effects. MACS 6222 X PBW 343 recorded significant specific combining ability for 1000 grain weight. PBW 175 X PBW 343, DL803-3 X PBW 343, GW 322 X HD 2932, C 306 X HD 2932, GW 173 X GW 190 and HI 1544 X GW 190 crosses were significant and positive specific combining ability effects for grain yield. Thus present study revealed that GW 173, DL 803-3 and GW 190 may be used in future improvement for grain yield through selection in segregates. This may lead in the fixation of both additive and non-additive components while making improvement in grain yield and its attributes.