Studies on combining ability and heterosis in pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.)

Estimates of variance due to gca and sca indicated predominance of non- additive gene action for most of the characters in the present study. Among female parents PRG 100 and LRG 30 and among the testers ICP 8863 and ICPL 87119 were found to be good combiners for most of the characters studied. The cross combinations viz., LRG 30 x ICP 8863, PRG 100 x ICP 8863, LRG 30 x ICP 87119, ICPL 85063 x ICP 87119 and PRG 100 x ICP 87119 exhibited significant sca effects coupled with appreciable amounts of relative heterosis, heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis for yield and its attributes. These cross combinations can be potentially utilized in future breeding programmes for exploitation of hybrid vigour.