Heterosis studies in Indian cauliflower (Brassica oleracea I. var. botrytis L.)

Significant and desirable heterobeltiosis was observed for all the characters in cauliflower except plant height, plant spread and days to curd maturity. Best heterobeltiotic effects in desirable direction for stalk length (−13.46%) and curd compactness index (18.62%) were exhibited by PG-26 x D-9. On the other hand, maximum heterobeltiosis for characters viz. net curd weight and per cent marketable curds was expressed by Pusa Sharad x D-5320(74.77%) and PG-26 x D-91(14.28%), respectively. Besides, maximum heterosis over the respective better parent for equatorial diameter of curd (21.88%) and curd size index (43.31%) was possessed by Pusa Sharad x D-9-2. Significant and desirable heterosis over the Pusa Synthetic (standard heterosis) was observed for all the characters under study except for stalk length and per cent marketable curds. Pusa Sharad x D-5320 exhibited maximum significant standard heterosis for equatorial diameter of curd (9.36%) and net curd weight (24.25%).