Estimation of combining ability and gene action for yield and its components in pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millspaugh]
Twenty eight hybrids developed by utilizing eight parents in 8 x 8 diallel mating design excluding reciprocals were evaluated in randomized block design with three replications for twelve characters in order to understand the combining ability and gene action in pigeonpea. The analysis of variance for combining ability revealed presence of additive and non- additive gene action. The ratio of gca/sca variance was less than unity which indicated the preponderance of non- additive gene action for action in the control of pod length, harvest index, protein content and leaf area. The estimates of general combining ability suggested that parents ICPL-87119, GT-103 and AGT-2 were good general combiners for seed yield per plant and its attributing characters while, hybrids UPAS-120 x GT-103, BSMR-853 x BANAS and BSMR-853 x GT-1 showed the higher order sca effect for seed yield per plant. These cross combinations can be potentially utilized in hybrid breeding programmes.