Heterosis for yield and phytic acid content in soybean Glycine max L (Merr)

Heterosis is an important factor in development of hybrid cultivars. Twenty five F₁ hybrids synthesized by crossing five lines and five testers in a line × tester mating design were used to produce information on the degree of heterosis over mid better and standard parents in soybean. All the parents and crosses including one check/standard variety Co (Soy)3 were evaluated in a randomized block design with two replications. The maximum standard heterosis for seed yield per plant was observed to be 56.69 per cent and minimum standard heterosis for phytic acid content was recorded to be 66.72 per cent. High heterosis for seed yield per plant and low for phytic acid content were observed in four hybrids viz RKS 18 × lpa 5–2, Co(Soy)3 × lpa 5–2, Co(Soy)3 × lpa 5–1 and Co(Soy)3 × lpa 13-1. They also exhibited high heterosis for many yield attributing traits in desirable directions. These hybrids offer best possibilities for future exploitation of hybrid vigour in soybean.