Heterosis for grain yield and quality characters in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) Br.)

Abstract

In present study Line x tester analysis was carried out to estimate all three types of heterosis (heterobeltiosis, averageand standard heterosis) for identification of superior cross combinations of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.].Crosses attempted between 10 testers and four male sterile lines during summer, 2019. Forty hybrids along with four male sterile lines, 10 testers and check MPMH 17 were grown at Research farm of AICRP on pearl millet, Mandor (Jodhpur) Rajasthan during kharif, 2019 and evaluated for thirteen characters. Analysis of variance revealed that sufficient genetic variability present among parents and hybrids for all the studied characters. The results indicated presence of significantly high heterosis in desirable direction for all the characters except grain yield per plant and harvest index (standard heterosis) and protein and iron content (heterobeltiosis). The hybrids, ICMA 94111 × RIB 37-40 S/17 and ICMA 96666 × RIB 16300 showed positive standard heterosis for grain yield per plant with desirable negative standard heterosis for days to 50 % flowering. The hybrid, ICMA 97111 × RIB 17 S/109 showed significant positive standard heterosis for plant height, panicle diameter, test weight and stover yield per plant over check MPMH 17.Hybrids, ICMA 96666 x RIB 16300 and ICMA 94111 x RIB 37-40 S/17 also had higher level of iron content and hybrid ICMA 96666 x RIB 16300 additionally had higher protein content.