Combining ability analysis, using Line x Tester mating design was conducted in safflower to select best material for further breeding programme and generation advancement on the basis of general and specific combining ability of the divergent parents and their crosses, respectively. Two CMS lines as female parents, 20 male parents and 40 crosses along with three checks (PKV PINK, AKS 207 and PBNS 12) were evaluated in Randomized Complete Block Design for seed yield under aphid infestation, Aphid Infestation Index (AII), total phenol and chlorophyll content. Study revealed the predominance of nonadditive gene action for all the traits under study. Out of 20 males, AKS 325 and AKS 322 were identified as good general combiners for aphid infestation index and phenol content, further, CCC-B2 for aphid infestation index; AKS/S-33 and GMU 6881 for chlorophyll content index; whereas, GMU 3924 and GMU 3876 for seed yield under aphid infestation. Hence, these parents may be exploited in further breeding programme to improve the concerned traits. On the basis of SCA effects, four crosses viz., AKS CMS 2A X GMU 3876, AKS CMS 3A X GMU 3876, AKS CMS 2A X GMU 3924 and AKS CMS 3A X GMU 3924 were found promising for seed yield per plant under aphid infestation and other traits related with aphid tolerance. | Selection of aphid tolerant parents and crosses using combining ability analysis for development of high yielding varieties and hybrids in safflower (Carthamus tinctorious L.)
