Selection of promising parents and crosses using combining ability analysis for development of high yielding varieties and hybrids in safflower (Carthamus tinctorious L)

The general and specific combining ability effects and variances for eight characters related to seed yield and its contributing traits in safflower were studied using Line x Tester mating design in forty CMS based hybrids, involving 20 lines (males) and two testers (females) along with three checks (PKV PINK, AKS 207 and PBNS 12). Combining Ability Analysis indicated the predominance of non-additive gene action for all the traits under study. Out of 20 males, GMU 3876, GMU 3924, GMU 3965 and AKS CMS 2B were identified as good general combiners for seed yield per plant, whereas, S-518, CCC-B2 and AKS 325 were identified as good general combiners for other yield contributing traits, and the parents GMU 3876, GILA and AKS CMS 2B for oil content. Hence, these parents may be exploited in further breeding programme to improve the concerned traits. Three crosses viz., AKS CMS 2A X GMU 3876, AKS CMS 2A X GMU 3863 and AKS CMS 3A X AKS/NS1 were identified as promising crosses on the basis of SCA effects for seed yield per plant, with good GCA effect of one of the parents. Thus, these crosses may be used for further evaluation in preliminary or multi-location hybrid trials for the further exploitation at commercial level. The crosses viz., AKS CMS 2A X GMU 3965, AKS CMS 2A X GMU 3325 and AKS CMS 2A X AKS 325 performed well over the best check i.e. PKV PINK along with a positive and highly significant GCA effects of one of the parents involved in the cross and low SCA effects (non-significant), it is recommended to utilize these crosses further by generation advancement for the development of varieties after re-crossing with ‘B’ line of the respective CMS line.