Combining ability studies for various quantitative traits in blackgram [Vigna mungo (l.) hepper]

Abstract

A diallel set of six parents and their 21 F1were studied for 13 quantitative traits to determine the nature of gene action in parents and hybrid population. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences for general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) indicating the presence of additive as well as non-additive gene effects for genetic factors controlling the traits. The components due to sca variances (σ2sca) were higher than g ca variances (σ2gca) for most of the traits except for days to maturity and number of pods per plant indicating the preponderance of non-additive gene action in the inheritance of these traits. Based on mean performance and g ca effects the genotypes viz., LBG 752, TU 94-2, LBG 787 were adjudged as the best parents as for yield and yield components. The crosses viz., TU 94-2 × LBG 752, LBG 787 × LBG 752 and TBG 104 × LBG 752 were identified as best specific cross combinations as they exhibited high mean and sca effects for most of the yield and yield attributes. Hence, these crosses could be exploited in further breeding programmes to isolate desirable segregants with high yield and yield attributes.