Diallel analysis of combining ability and heterosis for yield and yield attributes in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is one of the major oilseed crops of the world and it is an important source of protein in many countries. To study the nature of combining ability and heterosis for yield and related attributes a 4 × 4 full diallel experiment was conducted at the experimental plot of Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture, Mymensingh, Bangladesh. Data on various quantitative traits including yield were recorded. Significant differences among the parents and their hybrids were observed for yield and related traits. The analysis of variance for general combining ability (GCA), specific combining ability (SCA) and reciprocal combining ability also showed significant variations for all the studied traits. The GCA and SCA reflected that these traits were controlled by both additive and non-additive genes. Predominant regulation by non-additive gene action suggesting selection at a later generation would be much effective. Significant reciprocal effect for all the traits indicates role of maternal effect in the expression for these traits. Genotypes GC (24)-1-1-1 and China Badam were found suitable combiners for number of seeds per pod, 100-pod weight, 100-seed weight, shelling percentage, and yield per plant. Result of mean and GCA suggested that the genotypes have good ability to transfer these important quantitative traits. The SCA and heterosis revealed that the F1 obtained from the cross GC (24)-1-1-1 × China Badam was suitable specific combiner among the F1’s for most of the traits. The F1 may further be exploited for isolating the desirable segregates of these traits for maximizing yield.