An Investigation of Heterobeltiosis for Seed Yield and its Components with Protein Content in Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.]

An Investigation of heterobeltiosis for seed yield and its components with protein content was carried out in a set of 7 x 7 half diallel parent excluding reciprocals. The analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among genotypes, parents and hybrids for all the characters indicating substantial amount of genetic variability present in the material studied. Highly significant positive heterosis over better parent for seed yield and its component with protein content suggested that there is a good scope of exploiting heterosis commercially and possibility of isolating desirable segregants. The cross GT 102 x ICPL 87119 manifested the highest heterosis over better parent with high seed yield per plant followed by crosses ICPL 87119 xAGT2, BSMR 853 x ICPL 87119 and BSMR 853 x GT 102. Heterotic effect for seed yield per plant was found to be associated with heterosis for its related traits in majority of crosses.