Studies of heterosis, combining ability and inheritance of yield and yield components in a diallel cross of bengal gram (Cicer arietinum L.).

A 5 X 5 diallel cross among well-adapted varieties of gram from different agroclimatic regions was studied for heterosis, combining ability and inheritance of days-to-flowering, primary branches, pods per plant, 100-seed weight and grain yield. A high degree of heterosis over mid-parent and better parent was observed for primary branches, no. of pods and grain yield, whereas very little heterosis was exhibited for days-to-flower and 100-seed weight. Crosses among lines of diverse origin generally gave higher heterosis and over-dominance than lines from the same region. Primary branch number, pod number, and grain yield exhibited positive over-dominance; days-to-flower showed negative over-dominance while 100-seed weight had no dominance. Both general and specific combining ability effects were significant for all the characters studied but g.c.a. effects appeared to be more important for days-to-flower, 100-seed weight and grain yield. Graphical analysis indicated additive effects for all the characters, with complete dominance for days-to-flower, no dominance for 100-seed weight and over-dominance for the other three characters. Dominant genes conditioned earliness, primary branch number and 100-seed weight. The role of various parents and crosses in planning a hybridization programme has been discussed.