COMBINING ABILITY AND HETEROSIS FOR GRAIN YIELD, PROTEIN CONTENT AND OTHER AGRONOMIC CHARACTERS IN PEARL MILLET {Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.)

COMBINING ABILITY AND HETEROSIS FOR GRAIN YIELD, PROTEIN CONTENT AND OTHER AGRONOMIC CHARACTERS IN PEARL MILLET {Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.)

Abstract:

Fifty-seven F1 hybrids obtained by crossing three varieties, of diverse genetic background, onto each of 19 inbred lines of pearl millet were evaluated in two locations. Mean grain yield ranged from 667.50 – 2249.20 kg/ha with a grand mean = 1162.31 kg/ha. The general and specific combining ability moan squares were significant (P = 0.01) for number of tillers/plant, number of days to 50% flowering, plant height, panicle length, panicle width, head weight, grain weight and grain yield (kg/ha). The GCA x Loc. Interactions (females) were significant for days to 50% flowering, head weight, grain weight and grain yield. GCA x Loc. Interactions (Males) were also significant for number of tillers/plant and number of days to 50% flowering and 1000-seed weight. SCA x Loc. Interactions were significant for days to 50% flowering. The relatively smaller proportion of GCA to SCA ratio indicated predominance of non-additive genetic effects with respect to all the traits studied except for panicle length with ratio = 1. The high GCA effects exhibited by some parents that are reflected in the SCA effects and per se performance of the hybrids for most of the traits especially grain yield suggested that these parents could be selected effectively for hybridisation. Heterosis (both positive and negative) was observed among the crosses. Mean heterosis for grain yield was 60.44% HP, for 1000- seed weight, 66.01%HP, for number of tillers/plant, 47.62% HP, for grain weight 35.55% HP and for protein content, 31.27% HP. Negative heterosis, for number of days to 50% flowering, – 47.22% HP and for plant height, -21.25% HP, which was considered advantageous was recorded. Three hybrids; the hybrids of G.I. 363-1 x GAB 8735, (2101.50 kg/ha) G.I. 47-3 X GB 8735 (2249.00 kg/ha) and ACC 364-1 x GB 8735 (2125.50 kg/ha), yielded more than the best variety. Yield superiority of these hybrids over the best variety (GB 3735, 17 32 kg/ha) suggested the possiblity of their exploitation for commercial hybrid production.

COMBINING ABILITY AND HETEROSIS FOR GRAIN YIELD, PROTEIN CONTENT AND OTHER AGRONOMIC CHARACTERS IN PEARL MILLET {Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.)

Sharing is caring!