Influence of Gca and Sca on Sorghum Parental Selection: Based on Progenies' Performance

Influence of Gca and Sca on Sorghum Parental Selection: Based on Progenies' Performance | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Influence of Gca and Sca on Sorghum Parental Selection: Based on Progenies' Performance Mesfin Bekele, Bright Jumbo, Temesgen Teressa, Firomsa Ayele, and 1 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-9058896/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Revision Version 1 posted 14 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Choosing elite sorghum parents and hybrids based on the general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) is an effective hybrid breeding approach. The GCA contributes in offering demarcation on the average performance of parents in cross combination from the deviation of half-sib families targeting homozygous dominance. On the other hand, the SCA assists in providing responses about cross combination betterment from the covariance of full-sib families intended heterozygous dominance in the hybrid. As a result, both GCA and SCA offer valuable perspectives on hybridization. The aim of this study was, to pinpoint the role that GCA and SCA play in parental selection and identification of desirable cross combination based on the progenies' performance using line x tester mating in alpha lattice design. As indicated by lower than unity of predictability ratios (δ 2 GCA/δ 2 SCA) and low narrow-sense heritability (h 2 ) values, the non-additive gene effects and environmental factors contributed significantly to the observed variations. Consequently, it is recommended that the selection procedure for exceptional individual plants should prioritize individual cross-performance. This approach would help ensure that the selected plants possess the desired traits due to non-additive genetic differences and are better equipped to withstand the environmental variability that affect trait expression. The GCA and SCA of five quantitative traits were examined for 38 crosses using the resultant of 2 lines and 19 testers with two standard checks at four locations. Results showed significant differences in GCA and SCA among parents and crosses. Six testers and one line were identified as the best general combiner by merit of significant negative GCA effects for plant height, resulting in short hybrids. The tester, Melkam has been found as a top general combiner for yield-enhancing traits, but it may also produce mid-maturing long hybrids. The three crosses PU209A/ICSR 14, PU209A/PRL 984182, and PU209A/PRL 984422 showed significant negative SCA effects in desired direction for days to 50% flowering, plant height and days to maturity. Four hybrids (PU209A/Birhan, PU209A/Meko, ATX623/PRL 020962 and PU209A/PU304) had high positive SCA effects for grain yield per hectare, which obtained by cross combination of good x poor GCA values in either direction. These results reflect the effects of polygenic variations, which are significant contributors to the expression of heterotic hybrids. Hybrid vigor can be achieved by crossing parents with different GCA values using various genetic processes. The degree of genetic distance affects the level of hybrid vigor achieved. This method of hybridization is useful in increasing production and profitability in agriculture. Sorghum General combining ability Specific combining ability predictability ratios Heritability Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Revision Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 17 Apr, 2026 Reviews received at journal 17 Apr, 2026 Reviews received at journal 12 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 03 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 31 Mar, 2026 Reviews received at journal 31 Mar, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 30 Mar, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 30 Mar, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 30 Mar, 2026 Reviewers invited by journal 28 Mar, 2026 Editor invited by journal 11 Mar, 2026 Editor assigned by journal 10 Mar, 2026 Submission checks completed at journal 10 Mar, 2026 First submitted to journal 07 Mar, 2026 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-9058896","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":615199587,"identity":"013c7992-ea86-4116-a26d-2ced1c187f77","order_by":0,"name":"Mesfin Bekele","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Mesfin","middleName":"","lastName":"Bekele","suffix":""},{"id":615199588,"identity":"df28f305-0fd7-4ff1-9435-99c9e330b4ed","order_by":1,"name":"Bright Jumbo","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"International Crops 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The GCA contributes in offering demarcation on the average performance of parents in cross combination from the deviation of half-sib families targeting homozygous dominance. On the other hand, the SCA assists in providing responses about cross combination betterment from the covariance of full-sib families intended heterozygous dominance in the hybrid. As a result, both GCA and SCA offer valuable perspectives on hybridization. The aim of this study was, to pinpoint the role that GCA and SCA play in parental selection and identification of desirable cross combination based on the progenies' performance using line x tester mating in alpha lattice design. As indicated by lower than unity of predictability ratios (δ\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003eGCA/δ\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003eSCA) and low narrow-sense heritability (h\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e) values, the non-additive gene effects and environmental factors contributed significantly to the observed variations. 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