Combining ability and gene action for yield traits in greengram [Vigna radiata (L.) wilczek]

The combining ability analysis of 225 F3s in greengram developed from half diallel crosses among six parents revealed importance of both additive and non-additive gene actions in the inheritance of pods per plant, seeds per pod, 100-seed weight and yield per plant. There were significant differences in gca and sca effects for the characters studied. OGG-12 was the best general combiner for pods/plant and grain yield per plant where as OGG-57 was for seeds/pod, OGG-12 and LGG-460 for 100-seed weight. Among the 15 crosses, six crosses showed significant positive and seven crosses had significant negative SCA effects for seed yield/plant. Significant positive SCA effects were observed in two crosses for pods/plant, four crosses for seeds/pod and three crosses for 100-seed weight. Although some crosses were showing positive SCA effect for yield and its components, the frequency of unfavorable cases were more. Only TARM-1 × OGG-12 exhibited favorable SCA effect for all characters. Considering all the characters simultaneously, OGG-12 was the best combiner followed by TARM-1 and LGG-460.