Combining ability for antioxidants and economic traits in cabbage

Abstract

Fifty-five cross combinations along with their sixteen parents were transplanted in randomized block design to generate information on combining ability of antioxidants and economic traits in cabbage. The significance of mean squares of parents and line x tester interactions revealed the pervasiveness of additive and non-additive variance. Non-additive gene action was found to be predominant for carotenoid content, early maturity, frame spread, gross plant weight, net head weight, core length, harvest index, and head compactness, nevertheless additive genes were responsible for synthesis of ascorbic acid and expression of non-wrapper leaves in desirable direction. Golden Acre was found to be good combiner for seven economically important traits viz., carotenoid, earliness, net head weight, number of non-wrapper leaves, polar and equatorial diameter, and core length. Among 55 cross combinations, Pride of Asia × Red Cabbage, CMS-GA × AC-1019, CMS-GA × EC-490192, and Golden Acre × AC-1021 were most outstanding as indicated by respective high SCA effect. Majority of the cross combinations exhibited desirable SCA effects for various traits and involved at least one of the parents as poor general combiner, which signifies the greater importance of SCA than GCA in predicting hybrid combinations for desirable traits and scope for heterosis breeding for improving the traits of nutrition and economic importance.