Combining ability studies in castor

Combining ability studies in castor (Ricinus communis L.) Was studied in three female and seven male parents during kharif 2010–11. The parent 48-1 among the females, whereas the parents EC 168554, SKI-1, Salem 91 and EC 284470 among the males displayed significant gca effects for seed yield and most of the yield contributing characters indicating the importance of these parents as good combiners for improvement in castor. The cross AKC-1 X EC 168554 recorded highest significant positive sca effect followed by AKC-1 X Salem 91, 48-1 X EC 284470 and 48-1 X SKI-1 for seed yield and most of the characters and hence these crosses can be further exploited in breeding program of castor.