Division of Genetics, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110 012, India
Combining ability analysis was carried out in a 15 parent partial diallel cross for six yield components in ajowan (lorage), total umbels/plant, number of branches/plant, number of flowers/main umbel, number of seeds/main umbel, number of umbellets/main umbel and main umbel seed weight. Both additive and non-additive types of gene action were found important for the yield components. For two major components, main umbel seed weight and number of umbellets/main umbel, additive gene action was more predominant than non-additive gene action.
Parents with high GCA effect for major yield components were identified which could be used in formulation of synthetics. Two crosses, AS 109 × AS 243 and AS 117 × AS 243, were identified which could lead to the isolation of superior yielding varieties.
