Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper


Vol. 32 (2): 2026

Page Number: 644-649

THE LINE X TESTER METHOD IS USED TO EVALUATE “COMBINING ABILITY IN ASHWAGANDHA [WITHANIA SOMNIFERA (L.) DUNAL].”

Mukesh Khachriya, Amit Dadheech2, Hemlata Sharma, R. H. Meena, Devendra Jain, Virendera Singh and Harshlata Regar

Abstract

The current research investigation was conducted in Rajasthan during the Rabi season of 2023–2024 in three distinct environments (E1, E2 and E3). A randomized block design with three replications was used to evaluate the 66 genotypes in the experimental database, which included 18 parents, 45 crosses and three checks (JA-20, JA-134 and RVA-100). With the exception of particular characteristics in certain circumstances, the analysis of variance for combining ability showed significant effects resulting from lines, testers and line x tester interactions across all three environments. In a number of characteristics, the paternal lines T3, T2, L4, L10, L11 and L15 showed significant general combining ability (GCA) effects. A wide range of crosses showed continually significant specific combining ability (SCA) effects, especially for dry root yield per plant, while crosses like L4 x T2 had the highest estimates. Overall, the study advances knowledge of characteristics and potential breeding techniques by offering insightful information about the ability of Ashwagandha genotypes to combine and how well they operate in various environments.