GENETIC VARIATION FOR HARVEST INDEX AND DEVELOPMENTAL TRAITS IN PIGEONPEA HYBRIDS

Abstract

Evaluation of 60 pigeonpea hybrids involving three genetic male sterile lines, 11 and 9 medium and short duration pollinators, revealed importance of both additive and nonadditive components of genetic variance in the inheritance of harvest index, days to flowering, plant height, per day production, and reproductive period. The nonadditive portion was predominant for all the traits except days to flower where additive genetic variance played a major role. The parents and hybrids were characterized for their genetic worth through estimates of combining ability effects. It was found that 50 hybrids significantly exceeded their parents in respect of harvest index which seemed to be an important attribute for increased vigour of hybrids. The crosses with high harvest index were associated with either early flowering or shorter plant height or both.