Identification of best combiners and heterotic crosses for seedling characters in jute (Corchorus olitorius L.) under normal and drought conditions

Abstract

Line × tester design was employed to evaluate nine parents of Corchorus olitorius for their combining ability and heterosis of seedling traits under normal and drought conditions. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the parents and their crosses. Under drought conditions, root length, fresh and dry weight of roots, and under normal conditions, root volume, shoot fresh and dry weight exhibited significant contributions to the line × tester interaction to hybrid. Among the parents, JRO 3690 and OIN 970 displayed the best GCA for seedling traits, except for root and shoot traits, both under normal and drought conditions. Specifically, JRO 3690 showed significant GCA effects for seven physiological seedling traits. Significant SCA effects, high per se performance, and strong heterotic effects were observed in crosses such as JRO 3690 × OIN791, JRO 8432 × OIN 791, and OIJ 214 × OEX 29 under normal conditions. Similarly, under drought conditions, crosses like JRO 632 × OIN791, JRO 524 × OIN791, and JRO 524 × OIJ177 exhibited tolerance to moisture stress condition. These identified crosses hold substantial breeding value and could be directly utilized to exploit heterosis.

Keywords

• combining ability
• gca
• sca
• heterosis
• tossa jute
• olitorius
• drought