Unleashing the genetic potential of CMS-based F1 hybrids of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) to winter and summer temperature

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted during 2018-20 to estimatethe heterosis in radish (Raphanus sativus L.). The significantdifferences of mean squares among parents and hybrids forvarious traits of economic importance indicated the presenceof sufficient variation. Economic heterosis for various traitsof economic importance were observed during winter andsummer seasons to the tune of -23.9–15.8% & 3.4–41.8% fordays to first harvest, -30.2–32.4% & 5.9–95.8% for rootlength, -15.3–16.5% & -7.3–24.5% for leaf length, -23.1–30.0% & -9.3–85.1% for root weight, -32.9–39.6% & -18.1–36.4% for leaf weight, -5.3–9.7% & -15.8–40.4% for harvestindex, and -24.2–33.6% & 1.8–42.8%, respectively formarketable yield. Realizing the importance of marketable rootas well as consumers’ preference for sinuate/entire leaf shapeduring summer; the most promising CMS-based F1 hybridsare VRRAD-12×VRRAD-213, VRRAD-11×VRRAD-213,VRRAD-201×VRRAD-213, VRRAD-13×VRRAD-213 &VRRAD-12×VRRAD-200 for winter season cultivation; andVRRAD-201×VRRAD-200, VRRAD-198×VRRAD-200 &VRRAD-13×VRRAD-200 for summer season cultivation athigh temperature (28.5-43.4 °C). Furthermore, the followingparents are the best combiners for harnessing the heteroticpotential such as VRRAD-12 & VRRAD-201 as female andVRRAD-213 & VRRAD-200 as male for winter season; andVRRAD-201 & VRRAD-19 as female and heat tolerant lineVRRAD-200 as male parent for summer season.