Evaluation of genetic potential of land races and improved varieties for drought tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Genetic potentialities of 13 parents (including eight land races and five high yielding varieties) and their 40 hybrids of rice (Oryza sativa L.) was assessed through combining ability studies on 17 yield and drought tolerant traits. Chandaikar, Norungan and Nootripathu among lines and Co 47, ASD 18 and PMK 3 among testers were identified as potential parents based on per se performance and gea effects for maximum number of characters and crosses involving these parents would result in identification of superior segregants with favourable genes for most of the drought tolerant and yield traits. Three cross combinations viz., Nootripathu I PMK 3, Chandaikar/ASD 18 and Nootripathu/ASD 18 were recommended for recombination breeding based on significant gea effects of parents and non significant sea effects of hybrids in order to get desirable segregants in early segregating generation for drought tolerance and yield attributes.