Department of Horticulture, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005
*Scientist, PDVR, 1, Gandhinagar (Naria), Varanasi 211 005
A line × tester analysis was made in french bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) with four female parents (lines) and 10 pollinator parents (testers), so as to identify suitable general and specific combiners for breeding programme. Additive gene action was observed for the main yield-contributing traits in french bean, i.e. number of pods/plant and green pod yield/plant, and non-additive gene action was predominant for pod thickness only. Protein content and node of first flower initiation were governed by both additive and non-additive components equally. Specific combining ability was largely operative for green-pod yield which could be profitably be exploited for production of new plant type in french bean. Among lines VC-1 and among testers Pusa Parvati were observed to be the best combiners for most of the traits.
