Genetic parameters and combining ability of some important traits in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

In order to study the combining ability, genetic parameters and gene actions of yield, yield components and quality characters in rice, fifteen F2 generation of a 6?6 diallel cross, excluding reciprocals, was grown in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The results of analysis of variance showed significant differences between the genotypes for grain yield (GY), 100-grain weight (HGW), number of panicles per plant (PN), panicle length (PL), number of full grains per panicle (FGN) and for quality characters including amylose content (AC) and gel consistency (GC). The results of combining ability analysis revealed that general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) were significant for characters GY, FGN, GC, AC, HGW and PN indicating the involvement of additive and non-additive effects in their inheritance, however high amounts of Bakers ratio remarked that additive gene effect had more portion in controlling these traits. The best combiners for GY, HGW, FGN, PN and PL, were RI18447-2, IR 50, Daylamani, RI18430-46 and Daylamani respectively. For AC and GC, the best combiner was Daylamani. Hayman's graphs showed that regression line passed below the origin cutting Wr axis in the negative region for HGW, PN, PL and GC, indicating the presence of over dominance. Estimates of genetic parameters showed significant amount of H1 and H2, and non-significant amount of D for the characters GY, PN, PL and GC, which confirmed the existence of dominance in the inheritance of these traits.