Combining ability for yield and yield components in rice

Combining ability analysis for grain yield and its components were carried out in seven parental diallel crosses of rice (Oryza sativa L.) excluding reciprocal. The GCA and SCA were significant for all the seven characters, indicating the importance of both additive and non-additive genetic components for these traits. The per se performance was observed to be a good indication of GCA effects of the parents and SCA effects of the crosses. Among parents studied, Vaidehi and Rajshree were observed to be good general combiners for grain yield. The superior specific cross combinations Saket 4 x Vaidehi, Rajshree x Kamini, Prabhat x Rajshree and Sita x Vaidehi appeared promising for further exploitation in rice breeding programme.