Combining ability and heterosis over environments for yield and yield components in two-line hybrids involving thermosensitive genic male sterile lines in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Presence of substantial heterosis and economic hybrid seed production are two most desirable components for success of any commercial hybrid breeding programme. Thermosensitive genic male sterile (TGMS) lines of rice, in this regard, have tremendous potential in realizing further quantum jump in yield and economical hybrid seed cost. Analyses for combining ability and heterosis over optimum (120N : 60P₂O₅ : 40K₂O kg/ha) and high (200N : 90P₂O₅ : 60K₂O kg/ha) fertility environments for six traits were made in 2 years (2001 and 2002) using 120 hybrids of inter‐ and intra‐subspecific nature derived from hybridization of 30 elite indica TGMS lines and four cultivars, viz., ‘Pant Dhan 4’ and ‘Ajaya’ (I = indica), ‘Taichung 65’ (J = japonica) and ‘IR 65598‐112‐2’ (TJ = tropical japonica) in line × tester mating design. Predominance of non‐additive genetic variance suggested good prospects of hybrid breeding. Pooled analysis revealed highly significant variances for lines, general combining ability (GCA), specific combining ability (SCA) and line x tester. TGMS line 365‐8S was the best general combiner for all the six traits including grain yield. Trend of relative mid‐parent heterosis for grain yield, panicle length, grain number per panicle and earliness in flowering was I/TJ > I/J > I/I. For panicle number per plant and 1000‐grain weight, trends were I/TJ > I/I > I/J and I/I > I/TJ > I/J, respectively. Grain yield recorded heterosis of 49.3%, 71.9% and 92.7% for I/I, I/J and I/TJ hybrid groups respectively. Effect of environments on the hybrid performance indicated better response of hybrids at high fertilizer dose. Study suggests greater prospects of combining improved japonica and tropical japonica germplasms having wide compatible gene with indica TGMS lines for exploitation of intersubspecific heterosis.