Assessment of combining ability for growth and survivability traits in mulberry using line × tester analysis

Abstract

Combining ability in mulberry was assessed by using Line x Tester mating design. In the present study, five lines viz., MI-0543, MI-0615, MI-0651, MI-0685, MI-0718 and three testers' viz., V1, G4, MI-0663 were crossed to obtain fifteen F1 progenies. Growth and survivability traits were evaluated for the F1 crosses through Analysis of variance (ANOVA), General combining ability (GCA) and Specific combining ability (SCA) for the parameters such as germination per cent, survivability per cent, plant height, number of leaves per branch, internodal distance and leaf moisture content. Among the eight parental genotypes MI-0543 (female) and V1 (male) were the best combiners and MI-0685 x V1 was the best cross for growth and survivability traits. Hence, both non-additive and additive gene actions are important for the mulberry improvement.