Estimation of heterosis for yield and yield traits in long duration pigeonpea [Cajanas cajan (L.) Millspaugh]

In the present investigation, four pigeonpea crosses namely Bahar×IPA204, Bahar×BSMR 846, MAL13× BSMR846 and MA6 ×BDN2029werestudiedtocomprehendtheextent of heterosis over mid-parent (MP), better-parent (BP) and standard variety (SV) for grain yield and its attributing characters. Maximum positive heterosis over mid-parent was observed in MAL13 × BSMR 846 (27.42%)followed by Bahar × BSMR 846 (17.34%) for seed yield plant⁻¹and also for number of pods plant⁻¹ 25.14% and 49.33%, respectively. Heterosis over standard variety was observed to be highest for seed yield plant⁻¹in MAL 13 × BSMR 846 (33.07%) followed by MA 6 × BDN 2029 (19.87%) and for number of pods plant⁻¹ in MAL 13 × BSMR 846 (30.75%). Positive inbreeding depression for most of the characters suggests that selection could be practiced in later generations. High heterosis exhibited by seed yield plant⁻¹may possibly be due to pods plant⁻¹, branches pant⁻¹ and plant height. Recurrent selection or biparental mating for branches plant⁻¹, number of pods plant⁻¹ and seed yield may be considered as the ideal breeding approach for pigeonpea improvement programme.