Combining ability for yield, fodder traits, and grain micronutrient content in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) for arid zone farming systems

Abstract

An experiment was conducted during two seasons (summer and kharif 2024) to evaluate general and specific combining ability and heterosis in pearl millet using a line × tester mating design comprising 15 female lines, 9 male testers, 135 hybrids, and one check. The study aimed to identify superior parental lines and cross combinations for grain and fodder yield, along with micronutrient traits (iron and zinc content). Significant genetic variation was observed among parents, indicating diverse genetic potential. The variance due to specific combining ability (SCA) was higher than that of general combining ability (GCA), highlighting the predominance of non-additive gene action for most traits. Among the parents, ICMB-04888 and ICMB-97111 (females) and RIB-13 and RIB-1501 (males) emerged as good general combiners for multiple traits. Crosses such as ICMA-04999 × RIB-3135-18, ICMA-97111 × RIB-494, ICMA-88004 × RIB-15S076, and ICMA-94333 × RIB-192 showed superior grain yield. For fodder yield, ICMA-05999 × RIB-15S076 and ICMA-05999 × RIB-20K86 were the most promising. Hybrids ICMA-99444 × RIB-1501, ICMA-02333 × RIB-13, and ICMA-94333 × RIB-15177 recorded high iron content, while ICMA-94333 × RIB-15177, ICMA-04888 × RIB-1501, and ICMA-96666 × RIB-192 showed high zinc content. Notably, ICMA-97111 × RIB-494 was best for both grain yield and plant height; ICMA-05999 × RIB-15S076 for plant height and fodder yield; and ICMA-94333 × RIB-15177 for dual micronutrient content. These superior hybrids hold significant potential for grain, fodder and biofortified pearl millet breeding programmes, especially under dryland and agroforestry-based farming systems.