Selection of promising parents and crosses using combining ability analysis for development of high yielding varieties and hybrids in safflower (Carthamus tinctorious L)

Abstract

The general and specific combining ability effects and variances for eight characters related to seed yield and itscontributing traits in safflower were studied using Line x Tester mating design in forty CMS based hybrids, involving20 lines (males) and two testers (females) along with three checks (PKV PINK, AKS 207 and PBNS 12). CombiningAbility Analysis indicated the predominance of non-additive gene action for all the traits under study. Out of 20males, GMU 3876, GMU 3924, GMU 3965 and AKS CMS 2B were identified as good general combiners for seedyield per plant, whereas, S-518, CCC-B2 and AKS 325 were identified as good general combiners for other yieldcontributing traits, and the parents GMU 3876, GILA and AKS CMS 2B for oil content. Hence, these parents maybe exploited in further breeding programme to improve the concerned traits. Three crosses viz., AKS CMS 2A XGMU 3876, AKS CMS 2A X GMU 3863 and AKS CMS 3A X AKS/NS1 were identified as promising crosses on thebasis of SCA effects for seed yield per plant, with good GCA effect of one of the parents. Thus, these crosses maybe used for further evaluation in preliminary or multi-location hybrid trials for the further exploitation at commerciallevel. The crosses viz., AKS CMS 2A X GMU 3965, AKS CMS 2A X GMU 3325 and AKS CMS 2A X AKS 325performed well over the best check i.e. PKV PINK along with a positive and highly significant GCA effects of oneof the parents involved in the cross and low SCA effects (non-significant), it is recommended to utilize thesecrosses further by generation advancement for the development of varieties after re-crossing with ‘B’ line of therespective CMS line.