Combining ability estimates in F-2 and F-3 enerations for early maturity and agronomic traits in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Development of early maturing and high yielding cultivars of peanut (Arachi s hypogaea L.) is a major objective of groundnut breeding programme, To sel ect the best combining parents, three high yielding virginia type cultivars No. 334, Banki and NC-9 were crossed with four early spanish type lines IC GSE-4, ICGSE-130, ICGSE-147 and Chico in a factorial mating design. F-2 and F-3 generations were evaluated in the field to determine the combining abi lity of the parents for maturity and other agronomic traits. General combin ing ability (GCA) estimates were significant for all traits except maturity index in F-2 and F-3 generations and seeds per 50 pods in F-3. Specific co mbining ability (SCA) estimates were non-significant for all the traits exc ept oil contents in F2 and pod length in F-3 generations. The magnitude of GCA was much greater than SCA for all traits in both the generations indica ting that additive genetic variance (GCA) was more important than nonadditi ve genetic variance (SCA). Among male parents ICGSE-147 gave highest GCA fo r 20 pod length, seeds per 50 pods while Chico gave best GCA for maturity i ndex. Amoligadapted female parents NO. 334 gave best GCA for seeds per 50 p od and maturity index while NC-9 gave best GCA for 100 seed weight.