Combining ability analysis in Rabi sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench)

The experiment was undertaken during the period 2014-15 at Sorghum Improvement Project, M.P.K.V., Rahuri with the objectives to estimate the general and specific combining ability of parents and hybrids. To achieve these objectives, four cytoplasmic male sterile lines (females), ten restorers (males) and their forty hybrids were studied by using Line x Tester mating design. Observations were recorded on eight characters viz., days to 50 % flowering, plant height, panicle length, panicle breadth, 1000 grain weight, number of grains per panicle, grain yield per plant and fodder yield per plant. Based on results obtained the hybrids RMS-2010-10A x RSR-999, RMS-2010-16A x RSR-990, 185-A x RSR-992 and 185A x RSR-994 were observed most promising and could be exploited for further hybrid development, while the parents 185-A, RSR-994, RSR-993 and RSR-995 were observed as a good general combiners and need due consideration in future hybridization programme.