Combining ability studies in line x tester crosses of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.]

Combining ability analysis was carried out in a line x tester fashion for grain yield and eight component traits using five male sterile lines and nine restorers in pearl millet during kharif season of 2011-12. The predictability ratio of gca and sca revealed the preponderance of non-additive gene action in the inheritance of eight traits viz., grain yield per plant, number of nodes per plant, number of effective tillers per plant, plant height, earhead length, 1000-grain weight, harvest index and dry fodder yield per plant. Female parent ICMA-841 and male parents J-2482 and J-2340 were identified as the best general combiners for grain yield per plant along with one or more component traits. Majority of their crosses exhibited desirable sca effects, coupled with high per se performance for grain yield. Among the 45 crosses, nine displayed significant and positive sca effects for grain yield. Of these, four hybrids viz., JMSA-20091 x J-2433, ICMA-841 x J-2507, JMSA-20081 x J-2495 and JMSA-20081 x J-2430 were the most promising having good specific combining ability effects in addition to high per se performance, heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis for grain yield. Thus, it was suggested that these four hybrids would be evaluated under multiplication trials along with the standard hybrid for their direct release as high yielding hybrids.