Ten pearl millet populations were evaluated following diallel mating design (excluding reciprocals) for identifying base material for intra and inter population improvement programmes and for determining heterotic pattern among these populations. Both v and h effects were significant for biological yield and harvest index, indicating the importance of both additive and non-additive gene effects in their expression. In heterotic patterns, specific heterosis is major contributor for these traits. Populations HMP9102 and RVPT93(102) represented a good choice to initiate intra/inter population improvement programmes. Best cross combinations for these traits were selected and their use in breeding programmes has been advocated.
