Department of Genetics, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 141 004
**Present address: Department of Plant Breeding, G. B. P. U. A. & T., Pantnagar 263 145, Distt. Nainital, U. P.
*Part of the thesis submitted by the senior author for the Ph. D. degree of P. A. U. Ludhiana.
The present investigation was undertaken to study the combining ability in different seasons for green fodder yield and yield components from a 12 X 12 diallel cross set of pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides (Burm) S. & H.). The mean and range of variability in all the traits except duration of crop was high in the crosses and in monsoon season as compared to parents and summer season respectively. The relative proportions of general and specific combining ability variances indicated the preponderance of non-additive genetic variance. It was observed that good combiners for yield IP 2182, D 1941, K 677 and Syn I parents were also good combiners for some of the yield components. With regard to incorporation of desirable characteristics, recurrent selection can be effectively used for making improvement in yield. For some of the characters, g.c.a. and s.c.a. effects were variable in different seasons. Thus genetic analysis in different seasons will give a better understanding of gene expression before embarking on selection. Both combining ability and per se performance were emphasised for selection of parents, while the criterion for selection of crosses was based on high s.c.a. effects, per se performance and involvement of one good combiner.
