Combining Ability Analysis for Grain Yield and Its Attributing Traits in Pearl Millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.)] Under a Randomized Block Design

Abstract

The experimental material comprised of sixty three genotypes consisting of six CMS lines and eight restorers as tester lines crossed in line × tester mating design. The resultant forty eight hybrids along with their fourteen parents and standard check (GHB 1129) were evaluated in “randomized block design” at Ketanbhai Patel Farm Village Ishanpur Mota, Ta & Dist. Gandhinagar, Gujarat during, summer 2024. The analysis of variance for combining ability revealed that the mean square due to females (lines) and males (testers) was significant for all the characters under study. This indicated significant contribution of females and males towards general combining ability variance component for these traits. The line × tester interaction was significant for all the characters. This indicates significant contribution of hybrids for specific combining ability variance component. The variance component due to females was higher than that of males for days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height, earhead length, test weight and grain yield per plant. The ratio of σ2gca / σ2sca below than unity for the all the traits which was suggested greater role of non-additive gene action in the inheritance of these traits. Among the parents, female 97111 A was good general combiner for grain yield per plant, number of effective tiller per plant, test weight and harvest index and another line ICMA 14222 was good general combiner for grain yield per plant, earhead girth, test weight and harvest index. Whereas tester ICMR 1203 was good general combiner for grain yield per plant, days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height, test weight, seed setting and harvest index. Best three hybrids which possessed significant positive SCA effects for grain yield per plant and its attributing characters were 97111 A x ICMR 1907, ICMA 14222 x HTP-03/13 R and 94555 A x ICMR 18777. They have good genetic architecture on the basis of SCA effects and are important to use that in further breeding programme to enhance the CGMS effectivity.