COMBINING ABILITY AND HETEROSIS FOR GRAIN YIELD, PROTEIN CONTENT AND OTHER AGRONOMIC CHARACTERS IN PEARL MILLET {Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.)
COMBINING ABILITY AND HETEROSIS FOR GRAIN YIELD, PROTEIN CONTENT AND OTHER AGRONOMIC CHARACTERS IN PEARL MILLET {Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.)
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Date
1998-03
Authors
ANGARAWAI, IGNATIUS IJANTIKU
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Abstract
Fifty-seven F1 hybrids obtained by crossing three varieties,
of diverse genetic background, onto each of 19 inbred lines of
pearl millet were evaluated in two locations.
Mean grain yield ranged from 667.50 - 2249.20 kg/ha with a
grand mean = 1162.31 kg/ha. The general and specific combining
ability moan squares were significant (P = 0.01) for number of
tillers/plant, number of days to 50% flowering, plant height,
panicle length, panicle width, head weight, grain weight and grain
yield (kg/ha).
The GCA x Loc. Interactions (females) were significant for
days to 50% flowering, head weight, grain weight and grain yield.
GCA x Loc. Interactions (Males) were also significant for number of
tillers/plant and number of days to 50% flowering and 1000-seed
weight. SCA x Loc. Interactions were significant for days to 50%
flowering.
The relatively smaller proportion of GCA to SCA ratio
indicated predominance of non-additive genetic effects with respect
to all the traits studied except for panicle length with ratio = 1.
The high GCA effects exhibited by some parents that are
reflected in the SCA effects and per se performance of the hybrids
for most of the traits especially grain yield suggested that these
parents could be selected effectively for hybridisation.
Heterosis (both positive and negative) was observed among the
crosses. Mean heterosis for grain yield was 60.44% HP, for 1000-
seed weight, 66.01%HP, for number of tillers/plant, 47.62% HP, for
grain weight 35.55% HP and for protein content, 31.27% HP.
Negative heterosis, for number of days to 50% flowering, - 47.22%
HP and for plant height, -21.25% HP, which was considered
advantageous was recorded. Three hybrids; the hybrids of G.I. 363-1
x GAB 8735, (2101.50 kg/ha) G.I. 47-3 X GB 8735 (2249.00 kg/ha) and
ACC 364-1 x GB 8735 (2125.50 kg/ha), yielded more than the best
variety. Yield superiority of these hybrids over the best variety
(GB 3735, 17 32 kg/ha) suggested the possiblity of their
exploitation for commercial hybrid production.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Postgraduate School
Ahmadu Bello University in partial fulfilment
of the requirement for the Degree of Master
of Science in Crop Breeding.
Department of Plant Science,
Faculty of Agriculture,
Ahmadu Bello University,
Zaria, Nigeria.
March, 1998
Keywords
COMBINING,, HETEROSIS,, GRAIN YIELD,, PROTEIN,, AGRONOMIC,, PEARL MILLET,, Pennisetum glaucum