Combining Ability Analysis and Genetic Studies of Stripe Rust Resistance in Bread Wheat Genotypes

A set of eighteen F1 and F2 experimental crosses were grown in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. From lines, TD-1 was on top by showing greater and significant general combining ability (GCA) effects for maximum number characters including grain yield in both (F1 and F2) populations, while tester Benazir remained exceptional by showing higher and significant specific combining ability (GCA) effects for majority traits including grain yield in F1 and F2 populations, as a result, both parents would contribute significantly to the improvement of the bread wheat. Regarding the SCA effects in F1 population, the hybrids TD-1 × Pakistan-2013, TJ-83 × Benazir, and NIA-Sundar × NIA-Sarang and from F2 populations, the crosses TD-1 × Benazir, TJ-83 × Benazir, Kiran-95 × NIA-Sarang and NIA-Amber × Pakistan-2013 expressed desirable and maximum SCA effects for number of traits including grain yield, thus may be preferred in future wheat breeding programs. Disease reaction on selected 18 F2 populations was performed, the introgression stripe rust resistance showed single dominant gene. The genetic analysis reported the involvement of major genes for stripe rust resistance. These findings could be used to grow high-yielding wheat lines that could have a profitable yield in stripe rust-prone areas.