Heterosis and combining ability in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Heterosis and combining ability studies involving 8 genotypes in chickpea revealed the importance of variability in expression of heterosis. The hybrid Phule G-89219 x Phule G-12 found highly heterotic for seed yield/plant as well as pods/plant and 100 seed weight. Close association between divergence and heterosis was noticed in most of the crosses for seed yield/plant and pods/plant. The components of variances due to g.c.a. and s.c.a. revealed the predominance of non-additive gene action for all the characters und~r study except 100 seed weight. The genotype Phule G-89219 was found to be good combiner for seed yield/plant and pods/plant. Whereas the genotypes ICC-4958 and Bheema observed to be good general combiner for seed yield/plant and 100 seed weight. The crosses Phule G-89219 x Phule G-12 and Phule G-89219 x lCC-4958 were identified as the best combinations and could be exploited for improving seed yield in chickpea.