Heterosis Analysis in F1Hybrids of Bread Wheat

Abstract

The present research was conducted to estimate heterotic effects of yield and its associated traits in F1 hybrids of bread wheat genotypes in a set of line x tester crosses developed from five parents of which two were considered as lines (Anmol-91 and Kiran-95) and three testers (Imadad-05, SKD-1 and Khirman). The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with three replications at Southern Wheat Research Station, A.R.I.,Tandojam during the Rabi season, 2013-14.Results revealed that genotypes (parents and F1 hybrids) were differed significantly(P≤0.01) for all studied characters, showing that used crop genetic resources may be exploited for further breeding programs. Considering the mean performance, the F1 hybrid Anmol-91 x Imdad-05 showed exceptionally good performance for tillers plant-1, spike length, spikelets spike-1 and grains spike-1, while next rank hybrid was Kiran-95 x Imdad-05, which also produced desirable results for grain yield plant-1, seed index and total biomass plant-1, suggesting that these promising cross combinations may further be used in various breeding programs. With respect to heterotic effects in comparison to better parent, the F1 hybrid Kiran-95 x Imdad-05 showed the highest positive heterosis for grain yield plant-1, seed index and biological yield plant-1, while next promising cross combination was Anmol-91 x Imdad-05, which also showed the highest positive heterobeltiosis for tillers plant-1 and spikelets spike-1. These cross combinations may be used for hybrid crop development in bread wheat for potential yield.