COMBINING ABILITY STUDIES FOR BIOCHEMICAL TRAITS IN BRASSICA RAPA (L.) SSP. DICHOTOMA (ROXB.) HANELT

Abstract

Combining ability was studied in 6 x 6 complete diallel cross in Brassica rapa (L.) ssp. dichotoma (Roxb.) Hanelt. Significant differences were observed for all the traits except protein and glucosinolate content. GCA mean squares were non-significant for all the traits. SCA and RCA components of variation were significant for all the traits with the respective exception of oleic acid and oil content. Prevalence of non-additive genetic control was detected for all the traits except oleic acid content for which maternal effects were more important. ACC-403, ACC-909 were good general combiners for oil content and linolenic acid; ACC-902, ACC-1500 for oleic acid and ACC-265 the worse general combiner for erucic acid. Based on desirable SCA effects and mean performance the cross combinations ACC-265 x ACC-909, ACC-403 x ACC1500 (oil content); ACC-909 x ACC-902, ACC-909 x ACC-1500 (oleic acid content); ACC-403 x ACC-1500 (linolenic acid content) and ACC-265 x ACC-403; ACC-909 x ACC-1500; ACC-265 x ACC-902 (erucic acid content) were superior and can be further exploited