Heterosis and combining ability for yield and its components in early cauliflower

Line × Tester analysis involving four lines and five testers was carried out in early cauliflower Brassica oleraceae var. botrytis. The results indicated the predominance of non-additive gene action for days taken for 50% curd initiation, days taken for 50% curd maturity, leaf number, leaf weight, stalk weight, curd size and curd weight. Significant heterosis of 33.9% over standard check, NS-60 for curd weight was expressed by the cross IIHR Sel-5 × IIHR 73–24. The best general combiners were IIHR-Sel-5 and IIHR 223-1 among the lines, and IIHR-73-24 and Arka Kanti-15 among the testers. Best specific combining ability effects for curd weight and curd size were recorded by the crosses IIHR Sel-5 × IIHR 73–24 and IIHR 223-1 × IIHR-302.