Combining ability and gene action for pod yield and its agronomic traits in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) 

Abstract

Combining ability was studied with 12 parents in line × tester analysis for 12 quantitative characters in order to identify suitable parents/crosses, which could be utilized in Arachis hypogaea L. for further improvement programme. The analysis of variance revealed that both GCA and SCA variances were significant for all the characters indicated the importance of both additive and non-additive genetic components in controlling the expression of these traits. Average degree of dominance reflected the predominance of over dominance in these characters expression. Combining ability analysis suggested the preponderance of non-additive as well as additive type of gene action for all these traits. Among the parents, AG-1 was the most good general combiners for pod yield and oil content. The cross combinations, AG-1 × ICGV-97079 and AG-2006-6 × ICGV-95070 were identified as potential ones based on their SCA and heterotic effects, which had involved either G × G or G × A general combiners and confirms the validity of average degree of dominance values.