Department of Plant Breeding, C.C.S. Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar - 125 001, India
Ten diverse pearl millet populations and their 45 cross combinations (half-diallel) were evaluated to know their combining ability estimates. Significant mean squares due to general and specific combining ability were significant for grain yield and other traits, indicating the importance of both additive and non-additive gene effects in the inheritance of these traits. Population RVPT 93 (102)(grain yield), ICMV 955501(bold seed) and HTP 88(earliness) contribllted maximum favorable genes in respective traits. Crosses HTP 88 x RVPT 93(102) and HMP 9002 x RVPT 93(102) and, RVPT 93(115) x ICMV 95501 and HTP 88 x RVPT 93(115) were identified as the most desirable cross combinations respectively for grain yield, boldness and earliness. The desirable popUlations and crosses can be further used in future breeding programmes by applying appropriate breeding approach.
