Vol. 12, Issue 6 (2023)

Author(s):
Akshay D Wawkar, Vikram V Kalpande and Sunil B Thawari

Abstract:
The present investigation was undertaken to estimate heterosis and combining ability in parental lines of kharif sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] with respect to grain yield and its associated components. Four cytoplasmic male sterile (CGMS) lines and ten testers were crossed in Line x Tester fashion and the resultant 40 hybrids were evaluated coupled with two standard checks i.e., CSH-25 (for earliness) and CSH-35 (for grain yield) at the Research Farm of Sorghum Research Unit, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola. The line AKMS 70 A was found to be the best general combiner in terms of grain yield per plant along with yield contributing traits. Among the testers, tester AKR 73, AKR 545 and AKR 558 were found to be the best general combiner for grain yield per plant along with other component characters. Also, tester AKR 560 showed desirable significant GCA effects for single-cut green fodder yield per plant along with plant height, number of grains per panicle and threshed grain mold rating. Therefore, the line AKMS 70 A and four testers i.e., AKR 73, AKR 545, AKR 558 and AKR 560 need to be extensively used in crossing programme for development of high yielding kharif sorghum hybrids.