Abstract:
Improvement of common bean lines for their ability to fix more nitrogen may improve yields of common bean. The success of a breeding program depends on the choice of the populations capable of producing progeny with desired trait combinations. The aim of this study was to estimate the general and specific combining abilities and discriminate superior parents and hybrid combinations among six different common bean cultivars and their diallel hybrids. The values for heritability in a broad sense (h2b) and narrow sense (h2n) were high for all traits indicating reliability in the transmission of traits to offspring. Genotypes Kijivu, Msolini and G51137A with good general combining ability have potential for obtaining superior lineages, which may be used in breeding programs. Among hybrids evaluated, the promising combinations for further utilization in hybrid development were G51137A x Kijivu, G51137A x Msolini and G51495A x Msolini with good specific combining ability. |
