Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005, (U.P.)
*Email: dhirajlangade@gmail.com
Online published on 3 January, 2014.
The present investigation was undertaken to estimate heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis in maize during Rabi 2011–12 and Kharif 2012 at the Agricultural Research Farm, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, with a view to identify combinations expressing high hybrid vigour. Ten parents were crossed in a diallel fashion and were planted in a RCBD along with parents, reciprocals and their ninety F1 combinations. Observations were recorded for 8 yield and yield attributing traits. The analysis of variance revealed that mean squares due to progenies and parents were highly significant for all the traits. Heterosis over BP for PY varied from +30.79% to +242.73% in Rabi and from -14.84% to +300.00% in Kharif. Eighty nine hybrids in Rabi and 80 hybrids in Kharif showed significant positive heterosis. P4 x P2, P10 x P7, P10x P8 and P5x P1 were the top performers for plant grain yield. Parental lines P1, P2, P3, P7, P8 and P10 would be desirable lines as donor to get high yield.
Diallel cross, Heterobeltiosis, Maize (Zea mays L.), Standard heterosis
