Combining ability analysis for yield traits in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

The 21 hybrids were generated by applying LxT mating design using seven lines and three testers and were subjected to study combining ability for nine yield traits of barley. ANOVA was significant for GCA and SCA effect, indicating parents and crosses differed significantly with regard to general and specific combining ability, respectively. The GCA effect recorded for most of the traits were low and non-significant. However, two lines EC-667509 and EC-667365; one tester, NDB3 recorded the high GCA effect in three traits eachviz., productive tillers per plant, the number of grains per spike and 1000-grain weight; grain yield per plant, harvest index and 1000-grain weight; days to 75% maturity, the number of grains per spike and harvest index, respectively. Non-significant SCA effect for all the traits was observed in 12 out of 21 crosses. In respect to the SCA effect, cross EC-667498 x Azad performed better than the remaining cross combinations, as it recorded the high SCA effect in desirable direction in five out of nine traits.