Evaluation of Yield Potential and Combining Ability in Thai Elite Cassava Varieties for Breeding Selection

Abstract

Cassava breeding is a critical aspect of sustainable agriculture to address the challenges of food security and climate change. The present study aimed to assess the combining ability of six Thai cassava elite varieties for four key traits, including fresh root yield (FRY), fresh shoot yield (FSY), harvest index (HI) and starch content (SC) through an analysis of the diallel mating design over two years. Parental lines HB80 and R5 showed significant positive general combining ability (GCA) effects for high SC; R1 and HB80 for low FSY; and R1 for high FRY and HI. The genetic effects for FSY, SC and HI were primarily influenced by the GCA of the progenitors, while specific combining ability (SCA) was more important for the FRY than the other three traits. Cultivation conditions were also found to impact the evaluation of genetic effects, with a poor growing environment affecting the expression of the genotype. This study provides a useful basis for the selection of parental lines for cassava breeding programs and insights into the genetic control of yield and related traits in the Thai elite cassava germplasm.