Study of Heterosis in Single and Threeway Crosses in Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor (L.) Moench)

The present investigation was undertaken to study the extent, of heterosis in single and three way crosses in sorghum. Four male steriles, viz., CK-60A, 2219A, 36A and 1202A and their maintainers were intemated to produce twelve sterile single crosses. These 12 sterile crosses and 4 male steriles were crossed with five restorers, viz., 285, PD-3-1-11, 168, IS-84 and CS-3541, to produce sixty three way and twenty single crosses. The major contribution towards developmental and yield characters came from the male parents in single and threeway crosses. The performance of three way crosses was at per with single crosses. The grain yield per plant exhibited highest heterotic manifestation in both kinds of hybrids. The highest heterosis and heterobeltiosis was recorded by 1202A×CK60BX IS-84 and 2219A×36B×IS-84 respectively. The females, both A and A×B, exhibited limited diversity for most of the characters. Further evaluation of most heterotic three way crosses for seed production and grain yield stability s suggested.