Combining ability of downy mildew resistant lines in pearl millet

Abstract

Analyis of the nature of gene action among 90 hybrids involving 30 diverge inbred lines and three disease resistant genetic-cytoplasmic mile sterile linss ‘5054A’, 5141A and ‘5094A’, revealed the presence of high order of additive gene action for most of the metric traits including grain yield. The components of gca variance revealed the preponderance of s2f as compared to s2m for most of the traits. The lines derived from African sources were better in general combining ability and also revealed higher specific combinini ability than the Indian parents. Amongst the males ‘R2527’. ‘I P. 577’ and ‘I. P. 2053’ were the best in general combining ability for grain.yield. Amongst the females ‘MS. 5141A’ exhibited better general combining ability for grain y eld, but the resultant hybrids with this line were moderately late. The exploitation of the enormous genetic variability by turning more to population breeding in this crop has been emphasized.