Combining ability for yield & yield contributing characters in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

A line X tester analysis was made in rice with seven ovule parents and four pollinator parents so as to identify suitable general and specific combiner for breeding program. Dominant type of gene action for all the six traits namely, days to 50 percent flowering, plant height, number of productive tillers per plant, number of grains per panicle, hundred grain weight and grain yield per plant was observed. Parents JAYA and CRAC 2221–67 were good general combiners for grain yield per plant and most of the yield traits. The cross combinations CRAC2221–67 x JAYA and IR6331-1-B-3R-B-24-3 X JAYA were the best specific combiners for grain yield per plant. Hence, these two cross combinations may be used for exploitation of heterosis for yield and yield contributing traits in rice.