Line × tester analysis of combining ability in onion (Allium cepa L.)

Combining ability effects were estimated for different characters in a line × tester crossing programme comprising 60 hybrids produced by crossing of 3 male-sterile lines and 20 testers. Parents and hybrids differed significantly for gca and sca effects, respectiveiy. Among the lines, L-2 and among the testers T-6, T-11 and T-14 were found to be the best general combiners. Three cross-combinations viz., L-2 × T-6, L-2 × T-8 and L-2 × T-11 were found to be the best specific crosses for bulb yield and most of the important characters including keeping quality. Results showed that non-additive variation is an integral component of the genetic architecture of different characters in the present material used in onion.