Combining Ability Studies for Seed Yield and its Quantitative Traits in F2 Crosses of Mungbean [Vigna radiata (Wilczek)

Abstract

Background: Combining ability is a measure that enables breeders to select better parents and outstanding hybrids. General combining ability and specific combining ability is used to determine best performing parents and vigorous hybrids respectively and provides an opportunity to understand the nature of gene action involved in inheritance of each character. Methods: A combining ability analysis was carried out with six mungbean varieties and their 15 F2 crosses derived from half diallel fashion. Data was recorded for 10 characters and were subjected to statistical analysis using method-II and model-1 of Griffing’s approach. Result: There was importance of both additive and non-additive gene action in inheritance of all the characters as apprehended from significant values in mean sum of square due to GCA and SCA. Studies on components of variance due to GCA and SCA indicated there was preponderance of additive gene action for days to 50% flowering, days to maturity and pod length whereas non-additive gene action was expressed for other characters. Four parents viz., Kamdev, Pant Mung-8, MGG-385 and OBGG-52 were considered as best general combiners on the basis of significant GCA effects for a number of yield and its related traits. Based on SCA effects and per se performance, the crosses IPM-02-14/OBGG-58, OBGG-52/OBGG-58 and MGG-385/OBGG-52 displayed significant SCA in desirable direction along with high mean for many of the yield attributing characters. Highest significant SCA for seed yield was observed by the cross Kamdev/IPM-02-14. These selected parents and crosses can be used for further breeding programmes for crop improvement in mungbean.