Heterotic studies in three way cross hybrids of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) over environments

Abstract

The useful heterotic behaviour of three way cross hybrids assorted in magnitude as well as direction among the hybrids and environments. Expression of standard heterosis was observed across entire environments but its magnitude for seed yield per plant was high in Rabi season at Latur (E2 environment) and has been found to have high impact for expression of heterosis. The five hybrids viz., TWCH-244, TWCH-343, TWCH-216, TWCH-234 and TWCH-133 exhibited significant heterotic estimates over best check hybrid for seed yield per plant and significant or desirable heterotic estimates for head diameter, seed filling, volume weight, 100 seed weight, oil content, days to flowering and days to maturity and therefore identified as best heterotic hybrids for seed yield per plant and its related Characters. Heterosis for seed yield per plant in the hybrids, TWCH-244, TWCH-343, TWCH-216, TWCH-234 and TWCH-133 were associated with heterotic effect for head diameter, seed filling per cent, 100 seed weight and volume weight.