The research aimed to conduct a comprehensive genetic analysis in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.], focusing on per se performance, heterosis extent, general combining ability of parents, and specific combining ability of hybrids concerning yield and its component characters. A set of 37 genotypes, including 28 hybrids derived from a diallel mating design with 8 parental lines and a standard check (GHB 1129), constituted the experimental material. The study, conducted at the Centre for Crop Improvement, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Gujarat, during the kharif season of 2021, involved the recording of thirteen observations encompassing various agronomic traits. Analysis of variance for parents and hybrids demonstrated highly significant mean squares for all characters, indicating substantial genetic variability within the experimental material. Comparisons between parents and hybrids revealed significant heterosis across all characters. Notably, parent 08444 B exhibited promising per se performance for grain yield per plant, panicle length, panicle weight, and test weight. In contrast, parent 2889 B displayed promise for plant height, number of productive tillers per plant, test weight, iron content, and zinc content. Among the 28 hybrids, crosses 08444 B × 05888 B and 08444 B × 15388 R demonstrated superior per se performance for panicle length, panicle weight, and grain yield per plant, suggesting their potential for enhancing grain yield and related attributes in pearl millet. Hybrids exhibited significant heterosis, ranging from low to high, over mid parent, better parent, and standard check in the desired direction for all traits, except for days to flowering, panicle diameter, and days to maturity. Combining ability analysis revealed highly significant variance for both gca and sca for all characters. The predominance of non-additive gene action was indicated by the ratio of σ2gca/σ2sca being less than unity. Among the parents, 05888 B, 08444 B, and 15388 R were identified as the best combiners for grain yield per plant and other component traits based on gca effects. Specific combining ability effects highlighted significant contributions from crosses, with 08444 B × 15388 R and 08444 B × 05888 B showing notable sca in the desirable direction for grain yield per plant and other important characters. At present, emphasis in pearl millet breeding is given on developing diverse hybrids, nutrition rich open-pollinated varieties and populations having multiple disease resistance. In this direction, it is necessary to develop new superior male sterile lines, restorers and inbreds having high combining ability, wide variability and disease resistance, which requires the good knowledge of gene action. These findings provide valuable insights for developing superior hybrids and inbreds in pearl millet.

Pearl millet, Heterosis, Hybrid, Grain yield per plant and Combining ability

The comprehensive analysis of variance for both parents and hybrids underscored the substantial genetic variability present in the pearl millet population under investigation. The parents exhibited significant diversity in key agronomic traits, with 08444 B and 2889 B emerging as promising contributors to desirable characteristics. Among the hybrids, 08444 B × 05888 B and 08444 B × 15388 R displayed superior per se performance for panicle traits and grain yield, indicating their potential for enhancing grain yield and associated attributes in pearl millet. Overall, these findings contribute valuable insights to the on-going efforts in pearl millet breeding, offering prospects for the development of improved varieties with enhanced yield and nutritional attributes.

Gajjar K.D., Patel M.S., Zala H.N., Prajapati N.N. and Patel Y.N. (2023). Towards Superior Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.]Varieties: Unraveling Combining Ability and Heterosis for Improved Grain Yield. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(11): 339-348.