Estimation of economic heterosis for grain yield and it’s attributing traits in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]

Abstract

The present investigation was undertaken in order to estimate the heterosis for grain yield and its attributing traits in sorghum. The crosses were attempted by using half diallel mating design using ten parents during kharif 2023. The resultant 45 crosses together with 10 parents and 2 standard checks (CSV 17 and CSV 23) were tested using randomized block design with three replications at three locations viz., Instructional Farm RCA, Udaipur, Instructional Farm CTAE and Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Badgaon during kharif 2024. A total of 38 and 5 crosses exhibited significant desirable heterobeltiosis and economic heterosis respectively for grain yield per plant. The heterobeltiosis for grain yield per plant ranged from 4.97% to 120.07% while economic heterosis ranged from 17.97% to 31.83%. The maximum heterosis over better parent in the desirable diection was recorded by cross CSV 28 X SPV 96 (120.07%). The maximum heterosis towards positive direction over standard check was recorded by CSV 23 X SPV 2510 (31.83%). Crosses with desirable traits for yield components showed increased grain yield likely due to the combined effect of improved traits.