A diallel cross involving nine inbreds of pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides (Burm S & H.) was studied in two seasons, viz., off-season (February-June) and normal-season (July-October) in 1969. Combining ability analysis was conducted for days to flowering, plant height, number of ears, ear girth, ear length, protein content and grain yield. Both general and specific combining ability variances were significant and differed considerably in two seasons. Heterosis was negative for days to flowering (both seasons) and protein content (off-season) while it was positive for all the other characters. Parental performance as judged by general combining ability effects indicated that BIL 3B, Ghana-73 and 109B were the most suited parents for improvement of different characters. In general, average × average crosses seemed to be potential material for breeding work.
