Combining ability studies in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.Walp)

Abstract

Combining ability analysis of 36 F₁s of a diallel cross (excluding reciprocals) and their nine parents showed general combining ability variance which was highly significant for all the characters, while specific combining ability variance was highly significant for all the characters except crude fiber content, involving both additive and non- additive gene effects for the expression of green pod yield and its component traits. The crosses GC-4 × CGD-25. Pusa falguni × CGD-352 and CGD-370 × CGD-25 were found to be most promising potential cross combinations for their exploitation in future breeding programme of cowpea.