Studies on heterosis in forage pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.)

Abstract

The parents and crosses differed significantly for most of the traits studied indicating existence of good amount of heterotic effect in the hybrid studied. The mean sum of square due to parents Vs crosses were significant for days to 50% flowering, number of tillers/plant, leaf length, leaf breadth, leaf : stem ratio, green forage yield, dry matter yield and crude protein percent. The cross combination 449A x PMFT 907 produced the highest and significant heterobeltiosis (11.16%) for plant height. Likewise 429A x PMFT 907 (14.07%) for days 50% flowering, 429A x GFB-1 (17.60%) for number of leaves, 425A x Raj Bajra Chari (12.05%) for leaf length, 425A x Raj Bajra Chari (23.05%) for GFY, 449A x PMFT-907 (33.65%) for DMY and 425A x Raj Bajra Chari (42.05%) for crude protein yield showed significant heterobeltiosis in favorable direction. This indicated that selection of crosses either on the basis of their mean performance or on the basis of heterotic effect would be equally important.