Combining ability studies in early and mid-maturity CMS based cauliflower lines

The general and specific combining ability was studied in early and mid maturity CMS based lines through line x tester analysis involving two CMS lines in each maturity group along with 6 and 9 testers for early and mid maturity group, respectively. The combining ability analysis revealed highly significant differences among genotypes for all the characters studied. The tester 23000 in early and line 8410–22 and tester 754 of mid group showed significantly negative GCA effect for earliness to curd initiation, whereas lines 8498-2 and 8410–22 were best combiners for marketable curd weight in early and mid group, respectively. Cross combinations 8498-2 x Sl-71 and 8409-309 × SL-1-2 were identified as best specific combinations for earliness amongst early and midseason CMS based lines.