Combining ability studies in early cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.)

A study was undertaken to estimate the general and specific combining ability in early maturing cauliflower lines through line × tester analysis involving 6 lines and 6 testers. The combining ability analysis revealed highly significant differences among the treatments for all the parameters studied. The mean squares due to lines and testers were significant for all the characters except stem length, whereas due to line × tester, it was significant for leaf number, leaf weight and leaf area. Among the parents, First Early, IIHR-217-1-4-6, IIHR-263 and IIHR-Sel. 3, IIHR-217-1-4-6, IIHR-305 were the best general combiners for days taken for 50% curd initiation and days taken for 50% curd maturity, respectively. Similarly, First Early and Katki among the lines and IIHR-263 among the testers were the best general combiners for yield contributing characters. The best specific combinations for curd weight were Katki × IIHR-263, IIHR-Sel.3 × IIHR-302, Arka Kanti × IIHR-316, Early Kunwari × IIHR-250-4-1-11, Early Kunwari × IIHR-217-1-4-6 and Katki × IIHR-305.