Effect of General Combining Ability for Different Seedling Traits in Mulberry (Morus spp.)

Information regarding the nature of gene action controlling the yield and yield contributing characters are essential for implementing good breeding program. Significant differences were observed among all parents for general combining ability was noticed. Analysis of general combining ability showed the higher magnitude of SCA variance than GCA variance for most of the characters, which indicates the presence of non-additive gene action for most of the traits except for germination percentage, plant height at 60 DAS and number of branches. Out of seven lines M. cathyana is the best general combiner as it shows significant positive GCA for seedling height at 60, 90, 120 DAS, number of leaves per plant, average leaf weight, leaf area and significant negative GCA for internodal distance which is in desirable direction. Also MI-47 is best general combiner as it shows significant positive GCA for seedling height at 90, 120 DAS, number of leaves per plant, leaf area (cm2), number of branches. Among the testers V1 was the best general combiner for germination percentage, leaf area (cm2).