Combining ability and heterosis studies under rainfed conditions in castor (Ricinus communis L.)

Abstract

Development of stable pistillate line VP-1, led to the release of several castor hybrids commercially viz., GAUCH 1, GCH 2, GCH 4 etc., in India [1]. Several pistillate lines were developed at Directorate of Oilseeds Research using conventional and mutation breeding technique [1]. Information on combining ability and heterosis of the hybrids developed by utilizing new pistillate lines and male combiners is scanty. The present study is an attempt to study combining ability and identify good combiners for seed yield and its components like number of nodes to primary, effective spikes per plant, hundred seed weight and oil content. Majority of the male lines used in this study were resistant to Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum L.,) and thus one set of the resulting hybrids was evaluated in the wilt sick plot at DaR, Hyderabad to identify wilt resistant hybrids.