Unveiling superior hybrid combinations: insights from line × tester analysis on combining ability in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The study aimed to identify promising restorer lines and high-performing rice hybrids with strong combining ability and heterosis for grain yield and related traits. This study was conducted at RARS, Polasa and used LXT analysis to evaluate 30 hybrids developed through a line × tester design involving three CMS lines and ten restorers. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences for all traits except panicle length, indicating scope for improvement. Combining ability analysis showed higher specific combining ability (SCA) variance than general combining ability (GCA) variance for most traits, suggesting the predominance of non-additive gene action, except for plant height, which was governed by additive gene action. CMS 59B (line), JGL 36172 (tester), and JGL 36147 (tester) emerged as top parents for most of the traits under consideration as these parents exhibited high GCA. The best hybrid combinations for grain yield per plant were CMS 64A x JGL 38156, CMS 59A × JGL 36147 and CMS 59A × JGL 36172 showed exceptional performance based SCA effects.