Studies on heterosis in Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp) using CMS lines

Highest significant standard heterosis for grain yield per plant was recorded by AKCMS-11 01 x AKPR-344 over both the checks viz., PKV TARA and Asha. Considering the performance and magnitude of heterosis, the four crosses viz., AKCMS-L-2 x AKPR-324, AKCMS-89 x AKPR-344, ICPA-2047 x AKPR-303 and AKCMS-1101 x AKPR-344 were identified as best crosses for further crop improvement programme. The cross ICPA-2047 x AKPR-344 showed highly significant positive heterosis over the mid parent (33.33%) and useful heterosis over the check PKV TARA (39.41%) and Asha (50.05%) for number of branches per plant. A cross AKCMS-L-2 x AKPR-324 showed highly significant positive heterosis and heterobeltiosis for number of pods per plant (79.45 and 77.29%, respectively). Whereas, the cross AKCMS-L-1 xAKPR-303 exhibited maximum significant positive standard heterosis over both the checks i.e. PKV TARA and Asha (71.62 and 68.29%, respectively) for number of pods per plant. However, in case of grain yield per plant, AKCMS-89 x AKPR-344 (54.27%) showed maximum significant positive heterosis. The crossAKCMS-L2 x AKPR-344 (37.43%) showed maximum significant positive heterobeltiosis and AKCMS-11 01 x AKPR-344 showed maximum significant standard heterosis over both the checks PKV TARA and Asha (87.17 and 79.94%, respectively). The highest significant negative heterosis, heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis over the checkAsha was observed in cross ICPA-2047 xAKPR-344 (−13.28%,21.08%, -21.48%, respectively) for days to 50% flowering.