Combining ability analysis for seed protein and methionine content in green gram [Vigna radiata (L.) wilczek

Abstract

For combining ability analysis, a diallel method was employed in which eight genotypically diverse lines of green gram were crossed among themselves in all possible combinations excluding reciprocals. The analysis for combining ability revealed significant mean sum of squares of both general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) for most of the characters which indicated the presence of both additive and non-additive gene actions. Higher magnitude of GCA effects than SCA effects were observed for days to secondary branches per plant, 100 seeds weight and seed yield per plant indicating predominance of these traits by additive gene effects. Higher magnitude of SCA effects than GCA effects were observed for characters pod length, seed protein content and seed methionine content pointed out to be the preponderance of non-additive gene effects in the expression of these characters. The good general combiner for seed yield was BM-4, whereas, IPM 99-125 was most promising for seed protein content and RMG-1045 for seed methionine content. The best specific cross combinations for seed yield and seed methionine content was BM-4 x PDM-139 and for seed protein content cross RMG-1035 x RMG-1045. These parents and cross combinations could be utilized for further breeding programme for improvement in yield and quality of mungbean.