Diallel analysis of yield and yield components of winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) D.C.)

Abstract

SummaryThe variability revealed in a half-diallel cross between nine diverse genotypes of winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) D.C.) in regard to yield and yield components was studied in the F1 generation. The results indicated that high genetic variability existed for all traits. With respect to seed size, general combining ability effects alone were adequate to predict the performance of hybrids. For numbers of pods per plant and seeds per pod, both general and specific combining ability effects were of equal importance, while the performance of hybrids for grain yield was mainly dependent on specific combining ability effects. Heterosis was clearly evident for number of seeds per pod and grain yield. Of the yield components, number of pods per plant exhibited a positive genotypic association of appreciable magnitude with grain yield, showing its usefulness as an indicator of yield in selection.