Combining ability studies for yield and its components in groundnut

Nine lines were mated to three testers in a line x tester design. Among the lines, ICGV-86125 proved to be a good general combiner for pod and kernel yield and unit pod weight. Majority of the best specific combinations for different characters resulted from the crosses among the parents with high x low or low x low gca effects. Non-additive effects were predominant for pod and kernel yield and shelling outturn, but appreciable additive/effects were noted for pod number, pod weight, and primary branches. The breeding method which can exploit both nonadditive as well as additive types of gene action is suggested for groundnut improvement.