Estimation of General and Specific Combining Abilities in Six-Row Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Using “Line × Tester” Analysis Across Different Environmental Conditions

Line × Tester Analysis in Six-Row Barley across different environments

Abstract

In order to identify appropriate parents and desirable cross combinations in six-row barley under three different environmental conditions, the current study used line × tester analysis with fifteen lines and three testers to evaluate the combining ability for grain yield and its contributing traits. Pooled analysis of variance for combining ability revealed significant mean squares for lines, testers, and line × tester interactions for all traits. The line × environment interactions were significant for all traits except plant height, 1000-grain weight, harvest index, and starch content. Tester × environment interactions were significant for most traits, except days to 75% heading, days to maturity, harvest index, protein content, and starch content. The line × tester × environment interactions were significant for all traits except the harvest index. Parental lines BG 105, BH 959, DWRUB 64, PL 751, and RD 2552, along with the tester RD 2508, were identified as good general combiners for grain yield and its contributing traits across environments. Out of forty-five crosses, six in early sowing (E1), six in normal sowing (E2), and eleven in late sowing (E3) exhibited significantly positive SCA effects for grain yield per plant, with crosses BH 959 × RD 3005 and RD 2907 × RD 3005 performing well across all three environments, while DWRUB 64 × RD 2508 and RD 2660 × F1 showed strong performance in early (E1) and normal (E2), RD 2035 × RD 2508 in early (E1) and late (E3), and RD 2552 × RD 2508 in normal (E2) and late (E3) sowing condition, indicating these as promising specific cross combinations for grain yield and its contributing traits.