Combining ability for yield and yield contributing characters in pea (Pisum sativum L.)

The findings of present investigation revealed that PMR-53, PSM-3, E-6, VL-7, PSM-4, Arkel and VP-266 were best general combiners. The lines PMR-53, PSM-3, E-6, VL-7, PSM-4, Arkel and VP-266 can be used as parents in the hybridization programme to get desirable recombinants in segregating generations. The cross Arka Ajit × Arkel could be exploited for early maturity. The crosses VRP-16 × VL7, PMR-19 × PSM-3, Arka Ajit × PSM-3 and PSM-4 × Arkel showed maximum sca effects for most of the traits studied including the yield and yield attributing characters. Thus, these crosses could be advanced to recover desirable segregants for the improvement of yield and yield contributing characters.