Deciphering the genetic diversity and combining ability of 24 distinct inbred lines of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br] for grain yield and related components.

Knowledge of combining ability and genetic diversity is essential for creating high-yielding hybrids suitable for commercial agriculture. This research evaluated general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA), selected promising hybrids, quantified genetic diversity among 24 distinct inbred lines (18 lines and 6 testers), and associated genetic distance with hybrid performance. Assessments was done on 108 F1 hybrids with a randomised complete block design at a single location with three replications throughout the 2023 Kharif season. Both additive and non-additive gene actions contributed to the inheritance of all assessed traits; nevertheless, additive gene action was prevalent for the majority of traits. Inbred PMB 125 demonstrated significant general combining ability (GCA) effects for head weight, grain yield, single panicle weight, single panicle grain weight, and fodder yield. PMB 133 and PMB 142 also displayed positive GCA effects across multiple traits, with PMB 142 exhibiting early maturity attributed to its negative impact on days to flowering.