College of Agriculture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh-362 001, Gujarat, India.
*Author for correspondence: Millet Research Station, Junagadh Agricultural University, Jamnagar-361 006, Gujarat, India.
Twelve newly developed maintainer lines were crossed with seven broad based restorer lines in a line x tester fashion to study the extent of heterosis on grain yield and 12 its component traits for final selection of new ‘B’ lines before embarking for their conversion into male sterile version ‘A’ lines in pearl millet. Appreciable amount of heterosis, though varied with crosses was observed for the various characters. The maximum positive heterosis for grain yield was 180.24 per cent (B2 x R3) and 136.15 per cent (B11 x R6) over mid and better parent, respectively. The crosses viz., B12 x R2, B2 x R3 and B12 x R1 showed good per se performance as well as heterosis coupled with high SCA; there was also exhibited high heterosis for various important yield components. Based on GCA effects of the new ‘B’ lines and the performance of their hybrids, four B-lines viz., B2, B10, B11 and B12 were identified as females’ potentiality suitable for conversion into male sterile versions to enhance the yield levels of pearl millet hybrids.
D
