Vol. 11, Issue 2 (2022)

Author(s):
Siddharth R Kadam, Sanjay G Bhave, Santosh V Sawardekar, Arun V Mane and Nitin B Gokhale

Abstract:
The present investigation was undertaken to study the magnitude of heterosis in 24 hybrids (F₁s) affected by six white kernel females (lines) and four red kernel males (testers) following line x testers mating design. Also estimated the inbreeding depression in F₁ and F₂ generations of these crosses. All the F₁s had red kernel colour. It indicated that red kernel colour was dominant over white kernel colour. Among these hybrids, grain yield plant^-1 recorded wide range of variation, it ranged from 19.25 g. (Karjat 4 x Kudai) to 37.37 g. (Ratnagiri 6 x Valai). Mean performance of different hybrids revealed that the cross Ratnagiri 6 x Valai (37.37 g) had the highest grain yield plant^-1as well as highest panicle length followed by Palghar 1 x Valai (37.29 g) and Karjat 9 x Munga (35.89 g). These crosses were significantly superior to the check, Ratnagiri 7 (23.53 g). Among the studied hybrids, Ratnagiri 5 x Kudai and Karjat 9 x Kudai exhibited a low level of inbreeding depression for grain yield plant^-1 and number of productive tillers plant^-1 indicating their high level of stability as F₁ hybrid.