Crop Improvement Division, Central Reasearch Institute for Jute and Allied Fibres, Barrackpore - 743 101, India
Heterosis (F1-MP and F1-BP) and inbreeding depression (F1-F2/F1) were studied in four crosses of seven genotypes of white jute. The mid-parent (MP) and better parent (BP) heterosis for fibre yield ranged from 10.90 to 72.70% and 0.50 to 49.80%, respectively. The non-significant mid-parent heterosis was observed for all the characters in the cross combinations CMC x JRC 412 and Liza x Helmasira. The maximum heterosis over mid-parent for fibre yield (72.70%) was also accompanied by maximum inLreeding depression (47.93%) in the cross JRC 321 x CMC. In general, high heterosis for a character was accompanied by significant inbreeding depression. A comparison between heteroticand nonheterotic cross combination for fibre yield and its components indicated that heterosis for fibre yield was due to two or more direct yield contributing characters.
