A diallel set
of 7 parents and their 21 F1 hybrids were
analyzed to understand the nature and magnitude of gene action
and to identify the best combiners for yield and its component traits of lentil
(Lens culinaris L.). Thevariances due
to gca and sca showed that gene action was predominantly additive for days to
flowering, days to maturity, plant height, 100-seed weight and seed yield/plant
and no-additive gene action for number of branches/plant and number of
pods/plant. Estimates of gca effects showed that the parents RKL 1001, RKL 11
and LL 1049 were the best general combiners. Thus, the early maturing parents RKL
1001 and ‘RKL 11’ and collar rot and black aphid resistance parent LL 1049
should be involved in the hybridization programmes for making yield
breakthrough in lentil. The cross RL 3 x IPL 313 showed significant and desirable
sca effects for yield and its most of the component traits