Assessment of Combining Ability Across Different Environments in Diallel Crosses of Durum Wheat (Triticum Durum Desf.)

Abstract

Combining ability analysis in durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) using a half diallel of ten parents revealed the significance of both additive and non-additive genetic variances in controlling various traits. Ten parental lines, 45 hybrids and one standard check (GDW 1255) were evaluated in a Randomize Block Design with three replication at Wheat Research Station, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh during Rabi 2022-23 over three environments created by different dates of sowing. However, the ratio of s2GCA/ s2SCA revealed preponderance of non-additive gene actions in all the traits. Parents MACS 3949, GW 1348 and NIDW 1158 were the good general combiners, whereas crosses MPO 1336 × RAJ 3307, NIDW 1158 × HD 4758 and WHD 965 × NIDW 1158 were found to be best specific combiners for grain yield per plant and some of the yield contributing traits over environments. However, on the basis of per se performance and significant SCA effects for grain yield per plant and some of its important components, hybrids MPO 1336 × RAJ 3307, GW 1348 × NIDW 1158 and NIDW 1158 × HD 4758 were considered to be most promising for further exploitation in breeding programmes.