Heterosis and Combining Ability for Yield and Yield Attributing Traits in Tossa Jute (Corchorus olitorius L.)

Jute is one of the important bast fibre crop in the World next to cotton. Yield potential of this fibre crop is still under exploited and this natural fibre is facing challenges from synthetic products which calls for immediate attention to restore breeding works in a comprehensive manner. The present research has been contemplated with ten hybrids evolved from five lines of Tossa jute following half diallel matting design to ascertain gene action, combining ability and heterotic potential of the hybrids in respect of fibre yield and yield attributing traits. Methods comprised of growing of parents as well as F1s along with standard check in randomized complete block design (RCBD) maintaining three replications followed by recording observation on fibre yield and other yield attributing traits. Results revealed that most of the studied traits were governed by non-additive gene action which justified exploitation of heterosis utilizing these traits in this crop. The specific combining ability (SCA) components of variance (σ2 SCA) were larger than the general combining ability (GCA) components of variance (σ2 GCA) for all of the five traits under study which further implied the preponderance of non-additive components of variance towards the expression of these traits. JRO 524 was detected as the best general combiner considering the economically important trait. Finally, considering dry fibre and stick yield, three hybrids, namely OIN 24 × JRO 524, OIN 39 × OIN 46 and OIN 39 × JRO 524 has been identified to be superior over their better parent as well as standard check regarding these traits. Additionally, all these three hybrids exhibited positive and significant SCA effects. These three promising specific combiners can be advanced to get better Tossa jute lines for bolstering economic returns of the farming community in future.