Combining ability analysis in pearl millet {Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.}
Abstract
Information on combining ability was derived from data on eight yield contributing characters and grain yield in 7 male sterile lines and 9 restorers of pearl millet and their hybrids grown during Kharif 1996. Among females, 95444A was the best general combiner for all the characters except earhead length. Among males, J 2257 recorded highest desirable gca effects for grain yield/plant, earhead length, dry earhead weight/plant and 1000-grain weight. Among the hybrids 95444A x J-2296 exhibited desirable sca effects for days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height, effective tillers/plant, earhead length, dry earhead weight, grain yield/plant, dry fodder yield/plant and 1000-grain weight. Significant desirable sca effects for grain yield/plant were recorded by 95444A x J 2257, 89111A x J 2340, 93222A x J 108, 409A x J 108 and 95222A x J 104.
