Identification of bread wheat lines with superior combining ability for yield contributing traits and yellow rust resistance suitable for NWPZ of India

Combining ability analysis and gene action were studied for yield contributing traits and yellow rust resistance, using AUDPC as a genetic basis of stripe rust resistance, among 15 parents (12 lines, 3 testers) along with their 36 F1s using Line x tester analysis. The purpose of the study was to identify and select superior high yielding rust resistant parents and best hybrid combinations on the basis of estimates of general and specific combining abilities. The significant differences among parents suggest that the breeding lines possess good amount of genetic variability for traits studied 11 traits showed predominance of non-additive gene action except for plant height, peduncle length, flag leaf area and AUDPC where additive gene actions were present. DPW 621-50 can be ranked as the best tester and UP2596, PBW 639 and PBW 658 can be considered as the best lines as these combine well for the highest number of yield contributing characters as well as yellow rust resistance. The cross WH1100 x PBW550 was found as good cross combination for maximum number of traits.