Genetics of Yield in Blackgram

Studies on an 8 × 8 half-diallel analysis of blackgram for two locations revealed that both additive and nonadditive genetic variances were important for seed yield and its two major components, i.e., pods and seeds/plant. The parents Mash 1–1, LU 272 and lu 241 were good general combiners at both locations. It was observed that best specific combiners involved parents having good general combining ability. The degree and direction of heterosis varied, greatly for different crosses. Two crosses, viz., Mash 1–1 × lu 272 and Mash 1–1 × lu 241 showing high genetic divergence appeared to be most promising for obtaining desirable segregants as these crosses exhibited highly positive specific heterosis and specific combining ability effects coupled with significantly positive economic heterosis. Moreover, increased heterotic response of these two F1 may principally due to accumulation of favourable additive genes which are fixable in nature.