Study on combining ability of therapeutic traits in rice grains (Oryza sativa L.)

Traditional rice varieties having high flavonoids and anthocyanin traits were hybridized to high-yielding quality cultivars to assess their combining ability. Significant variation was observed among parents and hybrids for the traits studied. The predominance of non-additive gene action was observed for single plant yield, total flavonoid content, amylose content, whereas, trait anthocyanin registered additive gene action in the study. The genotypes ADT 37 and ADT (R) 45 were found to be good general combiners for flavonoids and anthocyanin content. The hybrid ADT (R) 45 x IG6 exhibited significant sca for flavonoids, anthocyanin and amylose per cent. The hybrid ADT (R) 45 x Mikkuruvai exhibited significant per se and sca for single plant yield and flavonoid content.