Combining ability and gene action for yield and yield contributing traits in cowpea

In this study, a line x tester (3 x 5) set was generated involving diverse parents. It resulted 15 experimental hybrids that were evaluated along with parents and check in randomized block design with three replications. Our results showed female parent C-152 and male parent Wali 4 as good general combiner for yield components. The crosses GC-3 × Wali 4 and C-152 × VCM-8 exhibited higher specific combining ability effects for yield components. The variances due to specific combining ability were higher in magnitude than general combining ability for majority of the characters indicating predominance of non additive gene action for these characters. This information can be useful for using the diverse parents in cowpea breeding program.