Combining ability and gene action for quality characters in Basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Abstract

Six diverse genotypes of Basmati rice (Bas. 370, Bas. C 622, Bas. 5853, Kasturi, Pusa Bas. 1 and Haryana Bas. 1) were crossed with three parents (UPR 85-71-8-1, TN 1 and Pant Dhan 11) in line x tester fashion to evaluate the type of gene action involved in Basmati rice for quality characters by applying line x tester analysis. Thirty-days old seedlings of 18 F1 and 9 parents were transplanted in a well-puddled field using RBD with three replications. A random sample of 100 g of oven dried rough rice taken from the bulk harvest of each plot was hulled and milled by Stake Rice Huller and Kelt T2 Polisher, respectively. Observations were recorded on grain length (mm), grain breadth (mm), length and breadth (UB ratio), milling and head rice recovery percent as per standard procedures [1]. Milled samples were used to record alkali digestion value, kernel elongation ratio, water uptake number, volume expansion and gel consistency using standard procedure. The estimates of combining ability and variances were estimated using method outlined by Kempthorne [2].