Vol. 10, Issue 9 (2021)

Author(s):
Madhu Yadav, Ved Prakash, SS Punia, Jogendra Singh, SS Rajput, Sonu Get and Madhu Choudhary

Abstract:
Heterosis for grain yield and its contributing traits was studied in 10 x 10 half diallel set of ten diverse barley genotypes under limited moisture condition. The analysis of variance showed significant mean squares due to genotypes, parents, generations, F₁, F₂, F₁ vs F₂ progenies and parents vs generations for all the studied characters indicating the sufficient amount of genetic variability present in experimental material. Highly positive and significant heterosis over mid and better parent for grain yield per plant and its contributing traits suggested that there is abundant scope for exploiting heterosis commercially and possibility of isolating desirable segregants. Heterosis ranged between 3.51 (DWRUB 64 x RD 103) to 81.83 (DWRB 137 x RD 2508) for grain yield per plant. Out of 45 crosses, twenty three crosses exhibited positive significant heterosis and heterobeltiosis for grain yield per plant. Among these crosses, cross DWRB 137 x RD 2508, DWRB 137 x RD 2052 and PL 426 x RD 2052 for heterosis; and PL 419 x RD 2052, PL 419 x RD 2508 and PL 426 x RD 2035 for heterobeltiosis were found to be the most promising combinations for grain yield and associated traits like plant height, flag leaf area, 1000-grain weight and harvest index in drought stress environment hence that cross may be exploited in further plant breeding programme or identification of transgressive sergeants from the advanced generation.