Identification of heterotic cross combinations for various agromorphological and some quality traits in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

Abstract:A study was conducted to identify the best heterotic cross for various agromorphological and some quality traits involving 10 parents and their 45 F 1 s excluding reciprocals during 2012-13 and 2013-14. The higher magnitude of heterosis for all the agromorphological and quality traits was not expressed in a single cross combination. It varied from cross to cross due to diverse genetic background of their parents. The highest heterobeltiosis (35.68%, 11.11%, 11.44%), average heterosis (38.97%, 9.13%, 10.26%) and standard heterosis (31.09%, 7.84%, 10.41%) for grain yield, spikelets per spike and grains per spike respectively, was showed by HD 3095 x RAJ 4246 and this cross also showed highly significant (at <1% level of significant) heterosis for biological yield, flag leaf area, spike length and productive tillers. Whereas PBW 435 x RAJ 4246 were common for gluten content (8.52% and 7.72%), grain yield (33.11% and 33.64%), productive tillers (16.15% and 13.53%) and biological yield (36.27% and 21.98%) which showed superior average heterosis and heterobeltiosis respectively, therefore, these crosses may be exploited in a national hybrid wheat breeding programme may offer genetic improvement in breeding for higher grain yield, agromorphological and quality traits in bread wheat. The presence of high heterosis for yield contributing components is not only for developing hybrids through exploitation of heterosis but also helps to produce transgressive segregants for developing of superior homozygous lines.

Heterosis and inbreeding depression for grain yield and yield contributing characters in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

“…Wheat belongs to the family of Gramineae (Poaceae) and, is one of the leading food for about 36.2% of the world's population (Arya et al, 2018). It has 1.8% minerals, 2% fat, 12% water, 12% protein, 22% crude fibers and 70% carbohydrates (Kumar et al, 2017). Wheat is cultivated under various agro-climatic environments allying the geographical latitudes of 30°-60°North and 27°-40°South including India (Nuttonson 1955).…”