Combining ability studies for yield and related traits in soybean (Glycine max)

Abstract

The present investigation was undertaken in F1 population of 36 crosses, obtained by crossing 18 inbred lines of soybean with two diverse testers in line × tester mating design during kharif 2012. All the parental lines and their F1 hybrids were evaluated in randomized complete block design at the Experimental Farm of Department of Crop Improvement, CSK HPKV, Palampur (HP ) during kharif 2013. The aim of this study was to identify suitable parents and hybrids for yield and its contributing traits. Experimental results revealed significant differences for lines, testers and line × tester for majority of the traits studied. Lines Bragg, Shivalik and P9-2-2 were found to be good general combiners for most of the traits. The cross combinations, Bragg × Hara Soya, DS-1213 × Hara Soya, H-330 × Hara Soya, PK-472 × Him Soya and H-330 × Him soya showed high per se performance and SCA effects for seed yield per plant and were rated as potential crosses for further improvement. Further, non-additive gene action (σD2) played a major role in the manifestation of almost all the traits which suggested the use of breeding approaches such as single seed descent method, reciprocal recurrent selection with one or two intermatings and diallel selective mating for the improvement of seed yield and related traits. Selection of parents based on their combining ability is an effective approach in hybrid breeding programme.