Abstract

Identification of genetically superior parents is an important prerequisite in garden pea for the development of elite strains. The combining ability analysis has been the most important and efficient tool in choosing the desirable parents for hybridization programmes. The attraction of combining ability is that this provides an empirical summary of complex observations and a reasonable basis for forecasting the performance of yet untested crosses but yet makes no assumptions genetically. Being based on first degree statistics (totals, means), they are statistically robust and, being genetically, so to speak, neutral, they are equally applicable to in breeder and out breeder, whether seed propagated or clonal. This technique makes it possible to classify the parental lines in terms of superiority in hybrid combinations and the gene action involved in the inheritance of different characters. Therefore, analysis of combining ability has been the most important and efficient tool in selecting the desirable parents for a hybridization programme. This review will be help in understanding of the exciting opportunities offered by combining ability and gene action studies in graden pea (Pisum sativum var. hortense L.).

Key words: Combining ability, garden pea, gene action, horticultural traits.