Concept of heterotic groups and reciprocal recurrent selection in hybrid breeding

Abstract

Heterotic groups and heterotic patterns form an integral part of hybrid breeding and help breeders to utilize their germplasm in a more efficient manner avoids unnecessary crosses to be made. The approaches for establishing vary depending on type of germplasm. When a small number of populations are available the heterotic groups can established based on complete diallel together with parental populations. If already established heterotic patterns are available selected elite genotypes from established heterotic pattern can be used as testers for production and evaluation of the germplasm to be classified. Different methods like sca effects of grain yield, Heterotic Group Specific and General Combining ability (HSGCA) and Heterotic grouping based on GCA of multiple traits (HGCAMT) can be followed for grouping germplasm into heterotic groups. The established heterotic groups can be further improved by following reciprocal recurrent selection schemes. A modified approach of reciprocal recurrent selection is reviewed.