Gene action and combining ability analysis for grain yield and quality components in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Fifteen F1 hybrids generated from crossing of six pure lines by using half diallel analysis excluding reciprocals were studied along with parents for combining ability for grain yield and grain quality triats. Variances of general and specific combining ability were highly significant for all the traits studied indicating the involvement of both additive and non-additive types of gene action. The predominance of non-additive gene action was recorded for plant height, total number of productive tillers per plant, panicle length, number of grains per panicle, harvest index, test weight, grain yield per plant, milling percentage and kernel L/B ratio. Among parents, NLR 33654, BPT 5204 and MTU 1010 were found to be good general combiners for grain yield and kernel characters. Among crosses NLR 33654 x MTU 4870 and MTU 1010 x BPT 5204 were identified as most promising heterotic crosses for both grain yield and kernel characters based on sca effects and per se performance.