Path and variability in parents and F2 population of different crosses

Abstract

Pulses in India have long been considered as only source of poor man’s protein. India is the largest importer, producer and consumer of pulses (Jitendra et al., 2011). India accounts for 33% of the world area and 22% of the world production of pulses (Amarender, 2009). Pulses production in India 18.34 million tonne (ICAR 2013-14). Combining ability analysis is frequently employed to identify the desirable parents for inclusion in hybridization programme. Highest yield in F2 population was envisaged in the crosses HUM-12 × PS-16 and HUM-12 × Bireswar. HUM-12 × PS-16 F2 population was also found superior for plant height and as well as earliness. HUM-12 × Bireswar were found superior for a number of yield contributing characters like number of seeds pod-1, pod width and pods plant-1. Derivatives from these two hybrids may help to develop high yielding early maturing genotypes with significant improvement of many yield components through selection in progressive generation. HUM-12 × PS-16 and HUM-12 × Bireswar with high protein content could be involved for tailoring genotypes with high yield, protein content and early maturity. Likewise per se performance of WBM-314 x Hum-12 followed by Hum-12 x Bireswar were found to be superior with respect to protein and Hum-12 x PS-16 and Hum-12 x Basanti for earliness.