Heterosis for yield and grain quality parameters in basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.)

In the present study, heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis were estimated on 36 F₁s obtained through half-diallel mating design for yield and quality traits. For yield per plant trait, seven out of 36 hybrids recorded standard heterosis of more than 100 per cent. CSR-30 × HUBR10-9 (160.09 per cent) recorded the highest significant positive standard heterosis over yield check Pusa Basmati-1. For quality traits, hybrid Pusa Basmati-1121 × Pusa Basmati-1509 performed well, as it exhibited a significant desirable standard heterosis for kernel length, kernel length after cooking, kernel breadth after cooking, and length/breadth ratio. Other hybrids that performed well for quality traits were Pusa Basmati-1 × Pusa Basmati-1121, Type-3 × Pusa Basmati-1121, Type-3 × Pusa Basmati-1509 and Taraori Basmati × Pusa Basmati-1121. 17 hybrids were found to have the desired intermediate range of amylose content (20-25 per cent) and 22 hybrids showed a desirable range of 4-7 for alkali spreading value, based on per se performance.