Gene action for yield and grain quality traits in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Combining ability analysis was carried out with nine parents and 18 F 1s for yield and quality traits in rice. Predominance of non additive gene action was observed for flag leaf length, days to 50% flowering, number of effective tillers, flag leaf width, yield per plant, alkali spreading value, water uptake and volume expansion ratio, while rest of the characters were controlled by additive gene action. Kavya among the lines found to be good general combiner for days to 50% flowering, filled seeds per panicle, yield per plant, milling recovery, head rice recovery followed by CN 1448-5-2-5-5-MLD6. Among the testers CR 3005-230-5-50 was identified as good general combiner as they could contribute alleles with positive effect for improving the important quantitative and qualitative traits. The crosses Kavya x JGL 19618, Kavya x CR 3005-230-5-50, Kavya x CN 1448-5-2-5-5- MLD6, MTU 1075 x CR 3005-230-5-50, HKR 08–62 x CR 3005 -230-5-50 and Swarna x CR 3005230-5-50 were identified as most promising for yield and quality traits.