Combining Ability and Gene Action Studies for Grain Yield and its Components in Pearl Millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.]

Abstract

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) is commonly known as bajra, cat-tail millet, or bulrush millet in different parts of the world. It is predominantly grown as a staple food grain and source of feed and fodder. In present study, 60 hybrids were produced by crossing four male sterile lines with ten diverse inbred lines in L x T mating design and analyzed in RBD with two replications to study combining ability effects. The analysis of variance for combining ability revealed that mean squares due to parents and crosses were significant for all characters studied indicated significant differences for all characters. However, δ 2 gca / δ 2 sca ratio depicted preponderance of non additive gene action for all the characters except days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, earhead length and earhead girth, thereby suggesting the importance of both additive and non additive gene effects.