Abstract
Combining ability analysis was carried out for green pod yield and its determining characters in cowpea IVigna unguiculata L. (Walp.)]. The mean squares due to general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) were highly significant for all the characters studied except SCA for pod length and seeds per pod. Genotype 1C 201085 was found to be the best general combiner for plant height, pods per cluster, pod length, pods per plant, dry matter (DM) in pod, and green pod yield per plant, while Genotype CO 4 was a very good combiner for days to 50% flowering, pods per cluster, pod length, seeds per pod, DM in pod, and green pod yield per plant. Genotype EC 4865 was a good combiner for pod length, seeds per pod, DM in pod, and green pod yield per plant, and Pusa Dofasli was a good combiner for pods per cluster and pods per plant, while SL 3 was a good combiner for days to 50% flowering and protein content. The crosses IC 201085 x CO 4, EC 4865 x SL3, EC 4865 x 1C 201085, and EC 4865 x Pusa Dofasli were identified as the most important crosses for the selection of transgressive segregates in advance generations.
