Combining ability analysis for yield and quality traits in fodder cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.)

Abstract

A study was carried out to determine combining ability analysis among crosses derived from 15 selected fodder cowpea genotypes. Three lines and twelve testers were crossed in L × T fashion and 36 hybrids were synthesized. The analysis of variance revealed significant variation among the genotypes for all the characters. All the characters exhibited significant SCA variance that was higher than the GCA variance, indicating preponderance of non-additive genetic component for all the characters. Based on general combining ability effects, the parents FD 2288, IFC 95101 and CO 5 were identified as good general combiners. The most promising specific combiners for yield and yield components were CO (FC) 8 × FD 2288,CO (FC) 8 × UPC 9103, CO (FC) 8 × FD 2295, TNFC 0924 × FD 2307, CO 5 × CL 88 and CO 5 × FD 2288.

Keywords

• fodder cowpea
• combining ability
• line × tester analysis
• hybrids