Gene Action in Pearl Millet (Pennisetum americanum L. Leeke)

Abstract

Grain yield v^^as largely governed by non-additive (SCA) type of gene action with the significant existence of additive (GCA) type of gene action. GCA variance due to females was significant whereas due to males was non-significant under all environments. SCA variance was highly susceptible to the changing environments as compared to GCA component of females, whereas GCA component of males was not at all interacting with environments. Proportion of SCA and GCA variances distorted on pooling the data and was contradictor)Ŝ uch distortion of the proportion on pooling was observed due to large amount of g X e interactions. Impact of interaction of genetic variance components with environments, its proportion, utility and breeding approaches are discussed.