Combining ability and gene action in relation to alloplasmic isonuclear lines in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.

Abstract

The Line × Tester analysis involving two CMS lines with diverse (A1, A4 and A5) cytoplasmic sources and six testers (males) of pearl millet was carried out at JAU, Jamnagar (Gujarat) during Kharif 2018 to identify crosses and good combiners for developing new hybrids to achieve higher yield. The variance due to GCA and SCA showed that the non-additive components were pre-dominant for the expression of days to 50% flowering, plant height (cm), number of effective tillers per plant (no.), ear head diameter (cm), grain yield per plant (g) and Fe and Zn content (ppm) Whereas, additive components were predominant for the expression of days to maturity and ear head diameter (cm). Among the female parents ICMB 96222 were identified as good general combiner for grain yield per plant and some other component traits. Among the male parents J-2597, J-2598 and J-2603 was good general combiner for most of the characters. Among the 36 hybrids, five crosses (ICMA5 95222 x J-2597, ICMA4 95222 x J-2597 ICMA5 96222 x J-2596, ICMA4 96222 x J-2584 and ICMA1 96222 x J-2597) were identified as good specific combiners based on significant and positive sca effect for grain yield per plant.