Study of line x tester analysis for combining ability in bhendi (Abelmoschus esculentus)

The present investigation was carried out at Plant Breeding Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Chidambaram during July 2019 to September 2020 in a set of 9 parents (six lines and three testers) by making 18 cross combinations. Ten economically important traits viz. days to first flower, plant height, number of branches per plant, number of fruits per plant, fruit length, fruit weight, fruit yield per plant, number of seeds per capsule, hundred seed weight and seed yield per plant were studied for per se performance, general combining ability, specific combining ability effects and gene action. The present investigation also recorded preponderance of non-additive gene action for all the characters. The results showed that the hybrids TCR-2056 × Punjab Padmini (80.05) and Dharmapuri Local × Punjab Padmini (56.24) were superior hybrids as they showed high per se performance and significant SCA effects. So, they can be used for producing promising hybrids. The cross Panruty Local × Parbhani Kranthi (27.06) showed high mean and significant SCA effects. So, it can be used for producing high seed yield and some of its related traits could be used as heterotic hybrids.