R. Priyadharshini and M. Venkatesan
Abstract
The current investigation was carried out to evaluate eight lines and three testers as parents along with 24 hybrids through a Lineà Tester mating design to study mean performance, gene action, general and specific combining ability effects for various yields and their contributing traits. The mean squares due to lines, testers and line à tester were significant for all the traits except testers, which were non-significant for fruit length, indicating significant variance between the genotypes. The ratio of GCA to SCA variation was less than unity, exhibited a prevalence of non-additive gene action for almost all the variables under study. Among the lines, EC 305613, IC 22232 and IC 18532 as well as the testers Varsha Uphar and Hissar Unnat recorded the best mean value and significant gca effects in the desired direction for the majority of the yield-attributing traits. The estimates of sca effects revealed that the three crosses EC 305613 à Varsha Uphar, IC 22232 à Varsha Uphar and IC 18532 à Hissar Unnat were found to be most promising for fruit yield and its contributing traits which could be used as heterotic hybrids.