Study of heterosis and inbreeding depression for economic and biochemical traits in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

A set of diallel crosses involving 8 parents was made to have information on the extent of heterosis rent and inbreeding depression for economic and biochemical traits. The crosses showing heterosis for grain yield were not heterotic for all the characters. Significant and positive mid parent and better parent heterosis were observed in four cross combinations viz., HD2967 × WH1080, PBW343 × RSP561, Raj3077 × RSP561, and RSP561 × DPW621-50 for grain yield per plant. Significant inbreeding depression was recorded frequently for yield and yield contributing traits, however, in a few traits it was observed significant negative indicated that F2 was superior to F1 considered desirable combination for trait(s). The study reveals good scope for commercial exploitation of heterosis as well as isolation of pure lines among the progenies of heterotic F1 for improvement of yield levels in bread wheat.