Combining ability studies under the different environmental conditions for root yield traits and total alkaloid content in Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera L.)

The investigation was carried with 65 genotypes of Ashwagandha in three different environments to get information on combining ability for root yield at harvest, yield attributing traits and total alkaloid content. The analysis of variance indicated that experimental material contained considerable variability, furthermore the expression of both GCA as well as SCA was highly influenced by the environment. Based on the study five parental lines viz., L₉, L₅, L₁₄, L₁₅ and L₈ along with tester T₃ were reported as good general combiners for root yield and total alkaloid content over the environments. Among the crosses 10 hybrids and 22 hybrids were found useful specific combiner for root yield at harvest and total alkaloid content, respectively on pooled basis due to significant desirable SCA effects across the environments. Hence the above-selected genotypes may be useful for further exploitation in breeding programme of ashwagandha.