Estimation of Heterosis and Combining Ability in Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) under Normal and Limited Moisture Condition of Rajasthan

Barley is arguably the widely adapted cereal crop with drought, cold and salt tolerance. Its grain is used as feed, food and for malting purpose while the straw provides an important source of roughage for animal, particularly in the dry areas. The estimates of heterosis and inbreeding depression jointly provide information about the type of gene action involved in the expression of several quantitative characteristics. Combining ability analysis is required for this method to identify the desirable parents for a hybridization program. The cross DWRUB 64 × RD 2508 in E1 and DWRB 137 × RD 2052 in E2 exhibited desirable heterosis for grain yield per plant and its attributing traits. On the basis of per se performance and GCA effects, the parents RD 2508, RD 2052 and PL 419 in both the generations and environments identified as good general combiners for grain yield per plant and some other associated characters. On the basis of per se performance and SCA effects, the crosses BH 946 × PL 419 and RD 103 × RD 2508 in F1 of E1, RD 2592 × PL 419 and DWRUB 64 × RD 2508 in F1 of E2, RD 2592 × PL 419 and DWRB 137 × RD 2052 in F2 of E2 were identified as good specific cross combinations for grain yield per plant and some associated traits.