Estimation of combining ability for quantitative traits in pea (Pisum sativum L.)

The findings of present investigation revealed that NDP-4-2, HUDP-6, NDP-5-20, Rachana, NDP-4-1, NDP-5-11 and NDP-4-5 were best general combiners. The lines NDP-4-2, HUDP-6, NDP-5-20, Rachana, NDP-4-1, NDP-5-11and NDP-4-5 can be used as parents in the hybridization programme to get desirable recombinants in segregating generations. The cross 5×13 could be exploited for early maturity. The crosses HUP-2×Arka Ajit, NDP-4-1×Bonneville, NDP-4-15×Arkel and NDP-5-18×Arkel showed maximum sca effects for most of the traits studied including the yield and yield attributing characters. Thus, these crosses could be advanced to recover desirable segregants for the improvement of yield and yield contributing characters.