What is Combining Ability? – Definition
Combining ability is the capacity of an individual to transmit superior performance to its offspring. It is the phenomenon with which inbred lines when crossed give rise to hybrid vigour.
Progeny tests should be performed to predict combining ability of the characters governed by recessive genes.
Types of Combining Ability
It is of two types
- General Combining Ability – Written in short as “gca”
- Specific Combining Ability – Written in short as “sca”
Combining Ability Estimation
Crosses made in a definite fashion is a pre-requisite for combining ability estimation. Estimated by half sib (gca) and full sib (sca) mating.
Various steps like parent selection for crosses, performing crosses, their evaluation and interpretation are involved while estimation of combining ability. For analysis of crosses, biometrical techniques like diallel analysis, partial diallel, Line x tester analysis are used.