Hybrid potential of seed parental lines of pearl millet under arid/semi-arid regions in India

Fifteen hybrids were evaluated to estimate the combining ability and per se performance of parental lines of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) under rainfed condition in arid/semi-arid regions in India. Variances showed the presence of enough diversity in the parental lines and hybrids for all the traits. Seed parental lines, ICMA 93333 and ICMA 96111 and restorer lines RIB 20 K-86 and RIB 3135-18 were identified as good general combiners. The hybrids ICMA 93333 x RIB 3135-18, ICMA 93333 x RIB 33574, ICMA 96111 x RIB 20K-86, ICMA 96111 x RIB 3135-18, ICMA 96111 x RIB 335-74 and ICMA 95444 x RIB 3135-18 had significant specific combining ability (sca) effects for grain yield. The identified parents would use further in breeding programme and the selected hybrids would be evaluated at different locations. Among the selected hybrids, ICMA 93333 x RIB 3135-18 (RHB 127) was evaluated during rainy season 2000 (19 locations), 2001 (25 locations) and 2002 (20 locations) under All India Coordinated Pearl Millet Project at zone-A India. RHB 127 had given 21% higher grain yield kg/ha and 14% higher dry fodder yield with similar maturity than commercially cultivated hybrid ICMH 356.