Comparison of combining ability based heterotic grouping methods and assigning a set of germplasm lines to existing testers in rabi sorghum[Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]

In the present study, 31 male lines and three females, were crossed in Line × Tester mating design and 93 hybrids were produced to assign these lines to three testers viz., 104A, 401A and M31-2A. Analysis of variance exhibited significant gca and sca effects for grain yield, indicating that significant breeding progress could be achieved using both inbreeding and hybridization. Heterotic grouping based on combining ability for grain yield would be useful in planning crosses in breeding programmes. In the current study, combining ability based heterotic grouping methods such as HSGCA and SCA-PY classified sorghum lines into four groups. Further, six different potential parental combinations were determined based on the HSGCA method. These combining abilities based heterotic grouping study is an additional tool that breeders could use to identify the best parents for superior hybrids development. Among the three testers, M31-2A followed by 104A was found to be the best testers.