Heterosis in A Diallel Cross of Onion

A set of 9 × 9 full diallel cross combination of onion was tested for heterosis in respect of bulb yield, dry matter content and pungency at the College of Agriculture, Dharwad during 1979–80. There were profound heterotic effects in the desirable direction for bulb yield and pungency. The combination of crosses: N_2-4-1, × BR, JR × N, and N₅₃ × BR for bulb yield, TW × N₅₃, and TW × N_2-4-1 for strong pungency and JR × N₅₃, N₅₃ × JR and N_257-9-1 × TW for mild pungency can be exploited for hybrid vigour. Although heterosis breeding for dry matter content showed little scope, JW × BR indicated positive heterosis over the best parent (JW).