Study of heterosis in six-rowed barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Abstract

A set of diallel crosses involving 10 diverse parents (excluding reciprocals) was made. Heterosis for grain yield per plant ranged from -21.95 to 39.65 percent. Out of forty five crosses, fifteen crosses exhibited positive significant heterosis and nine crosses exhibited positive significant heterobeltiosis while eighteen crosses tilted towards negative magnitude, out of which five crosses manifested negative significant inbreeding depression. Nine crosses have positive significant heterosis and heterobeltiosis whereas, out of cross PL 426 × RD 2552 and BH 959 × RD 2786 have supported by negative inbreeding depression. Hence, these crosses were considered to be most desirable for grain yield per plant. The study revealed good scope for commercial exploitation of heterosis as well as isolation of pure lines among the progenies of heterotic F1 for improvement of yield.