Division of Genetics, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012.
1Present address: International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru 502 324, A.P.
The genetic analysis of 36 hybrids Involving 3 male sterile lines and 12 pollinator lines evaluated for twelve characters revealed the predominance of non-additive gene action for all the characters under study. The parents QMS-1 and MS Prabhat (DT) among male sterlles while Sel 90309, Sel 90306, Sel 90310, Sel 90311 and Sel 90307 among pollinators were Identified as good general combiners. The crosses QMS-1 x Sel 90307, QMS-1 x Sel 90311 and MS Prabhat (NDT) x Sel 90214 were the best specific combiners for yield and its components, and favours heterosis breeding programme. Heterosis to the extent of 51.3 and 171.6% over the standard cbeck Sel 90308 and better parent, respectively, were recorded for seed yield/plant. Best five hybrids exceeding 40% standard heterosis were identified as promising for seed yield and Its components.
Pigeonpea, combining ability, heterosis, male steriles, yield, yield components
