Department of Plant Breeding, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 141 004
*Present Address: Food Legume Improvement Program, ICARDA, P. O. Box 5466, Aleppo, SYRIA.
Combining ability analysis was made using a diallel cross of eight chickpea lines. It was noted that both additive and non-additive type of gene action were important for seed yield, 100-grain weight, seeds per pod and pods per plant with the preponderance of additive type of gene action. However, for the number of primary and secondary branches only additive type of gene action was presc nt. The parents T3 and L 345 were the best general combiners for seed yield, pods per plant and number of primary and secondary branches, and L 144 for 100-grain weight. Normal pedigree method for the exploitation of additive genetic variability and the diallel selective mating system for population building have been suggested for improvement of this crop.
