Genetic analysis for quantitative traits in pigeonpea (Cajanus Cajan L. Millsp.)

Six cytoplasmic-genetic male sterile lines with A₂ (Cajanus scarabaeoides) and A₄ (Cajanus cajanifolius) cytoplasm were mated with 13 testers in line × tester design during kharif 2010 at the Agricultural Research Station, Gulbarga. The resultant 78 hybrids were evaluated along with their parents and the standard check (Maruti) in lattice design with two replications during Kharif 2011. Combining ability analysis evinced predominance of non-additive gene effects for all the characters indicating relevance of heterosis breeding for improving yield attributes in pigeonpea. The lines ICPA-2098. ICPA-2048-4 and GT-625A among female parents (A lines) and M-3(GRG-2009), LRG-41, Asha and TS-3 among the testers were good general combiners for seed yield and its direct components. Thirty nine hybrids showed significant positive sca effects for seed yield and its two or more component traits. The cross combination ICPA-2098 x M-3(GRG-2009), GT-625A x WRP-1, ICPA-2048-4 x Maruti ICPA-2098 x Asha and GT-625A x BSMR736 exhibited significant SCA effects coupled with higher standard heterosis for seed yield and its attributes. These parental combinations can be potentially utilized in future breeding programmes for exploitation of hybrid vigour.