Heterosis in Sorghum hybrids for Dry matter accumulation in Different plant parts and Growth parameters

Field experiments were conducted during rabi seasons of 2000–01 and 2001–02 at Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad to study heterosis for dry matter accumulation in different plant parts and growth parameters in 16 hybrids along with their eight male and two female parents using randomized block design. The hybrids, 117-A x DRR-5, 117-A x DRR-3, 117-A x DRR-10, 117-A x DRR-1 and 117-A x DRR-2 showed significant positive heterosis over mid parent (MP) for leaf dry weight, stem dry weight, ear dry weight and total dry weight at all the three stages viz., at 50% flowering, dough stage and harvest. The hybrid 401-A x DRC-500 recorded significant positive heterosis over MP and BP (better parent) for absolute growth rate (AGR), crop growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate (RGR) and net assimilation rate (NAR) between 50% flowering and dough stages. Further, none of the hybrids showed significant positive heterosis over MP and BP for AGR, CGR and RGR between dough stage and harvest.