Gene action and combining ability estimates using cytoplasmic-genic male sterile lines to develop pigeonpea hybrids for rainfed condition

Pigeonpea is the major source of vegetable protein in Indian diet. About 72.5 percent area and 62.5 production of world’s pigeonpea is in India.Pigeonpea is the only food legume where cytoplasmic-genic male sterility is being exploited for commercial use of hybrids. The discovery of stable CMS system and breeding of commercial hybrids in pigeonpea has become a landmark in increasing the productivity of this crop. Keeping in view the combining ability estimates were worked out through Line x Tester analysis of 10 hybrids developed by crossing 2 lines (Males) with five cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) lines (Females) to know the genetic architecture of yield attributesDays to maturity, branches plant1 , pods plant1 , seed yield, wilt resistance and pollen fertility. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among genotypes, crosses, lines, testers and Line x tester interactions for most of the traits. Preponderance of non-additive gene action was realized by higher values of specific combining ability compared to general combining ability. The average degree of dominance were more than unity (>1) and predictability ratio was less than unity (