The nature of combining ability in cigar filler tobacco (N.tabacum L.) was studied in a set of diallel crosses of seven diverse cultivars. Both the general and specific combining ability estimates were significant for all characters.
It was found that Olor is the only parent with high general combining ability estimates for all the traits. Maryland and 1–452 stand next to it in a serial order. Maryland and Swarrhibsman for leaf width and 1–452 for green leaf weight were also good combiners. V.V. 2 and Montecalm brun were found to be unsuitable for including in such a breeding programme.
The superior combinations involved at least one high general combining parent and only rarely a low × low combiner was superior. In few of the combinations significant reciprocal effects for laminar area and cured leaf yield were recorded.
