Analysis of Heterotic Potential for Yield and Its Contributing Traits in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Fifty-six genotypes were evaluated comprising 45 hybrids, 10 parents and 1 standard check (HD2968) were evaluated in a randomized block design (RBD) with three replications for 12 traits viz. Days to 50 % flowering, days to maturity, plant height, number of tillers per plant, spikelets per spike, ear length, spike density, number of ears per plant, number of grains per ear, seed index, grain yield per plant and harvest index to study the magnitude and direction of heterosis for yield and earliness in wheat. Significant heterosis was found over mid parent and commercial checks for all the traits studied in desirable direction. The findings revealed highly significant differences between parents and F1’s as well as among parents for the majority of attributes. In the present research investigation, the number of days taken for 50 % flowering and days to maturity was selected as indicative of earliness. Among 45 crosses, K1317 x HD2967 expressed negative significant heterosis over mid parent and standard check respectively, for days to 50% flowering while Cross HD3059 x DBW3059 revealed highly significant negative heterosis for days to maturity. In present research, the highest positive and significant heterosis over mid parent was exhibited by cross DBW187 x HI153 followed by DBW187 x DBW3059, HD3294 x DBW3059. The cross DBW187 x DBW3059 followed by DBW187 x HD3059, HD3294 x K1601 shows highly positive heterotic percent for grain yield per plant over standard check. These hybrids may further be tested over various locations before release for commercial cultivation. High estimates of heterosis obtained in hybrid combinations revealed considerable genetic divergence among the parental lines and reveals good scope for commercial exploitation of heterosis in wheat.