Early generation evaluation for yield and yield-related traits in lentil

Fifteen F₃ bulks along with one check were evaluated in a complete randomized block design with three replications. Harvest index coupled with pods/plant and primary branches were found to be reliable selection criteria in segregating generations for increasing yield. In the present study correlations alone were not good criterion of assessing the potentiality of crosses in early generations. However, promising crosses could be identify in early segregating generations only on the basis of combination of characters. Crosses involving Precoz sel. as one of the parents were promising. Study also reveals that the harvest index and pods/plant in conjunction with the secondary branches are helpful in selection for yield. It also appears that the random bulk procedure of generation advancement in F₂ was unable to identify the plants with increased yield in F₃ and yield per se could not be used as a reliable criterion for rejection/selection of the crosses in F₃.