Heterosis studies for grain yield and it’s contributing traits in feed barley [Hordeum vulgare (L.)]

Abstract

A field experiment was undertaken by crossing ten lines and three testers during rabi, 2021-22 in line × tester mating design at Wheat Research Station, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Vijapur. The parents (ten lines and three testers), 30 F1 crosses along with a standard check (RD 2552) were evaluated during rabi season of the year 2022-23 in a Randomized Block Design with three replications. In concurrence with heterosis, the significant economic heterosis in desirable direction was observed in high heterotic hybrid RD 3012 × RD 2552 for grain yield per plant also showed significant heterosis in desired direction for plant height, number of grain per spike, spike length, flag leaf area, 1000-grain weight, biological yield per plant which indicated that the maximum contribution of this traits towards seed yield heterosis. In order for this hybrid to be fully utilized in next breeding programs, it is to be deemed an auspicious cross for heterosis. Among top three crosses for grain yield per plant, the crosses RD 3012 × RD 2552, PL 842 × K 944, BH 933 × K 944 and PL 842 × RD 2552 showed desirable heterosis and heterobeltiosis for one or more characters. Out of 30 hybrids, PL 842 × K 944, BH 933 × K 944 and RD 3012 × RD 2552 were identified for high grain yield per plant and other yield attributing traits. Based on overall study of thirty hybrids for midparent heterosis, heterobeltiosis and economic heterosis the cross RD 3012 × BH 946, BH 970 × BH 946 and RD 3012 × RD 2552 were found best heterotic combinations for grain yield and its contributing traits viz., Number of grains per spike, peduncle length, 1000- grain weight and harvest index in feed barley.