Hybrid performance and Heterosis for yield and yield contributing traits in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

A study was conducted in bread wheat to estimate the magnitude of heterosis for grain yield and its seven yield components. 10 F1 hybrids were derived from crosses between two female lines and five testers using line x tester analysis and these F1s along with 7 parents and one commercial check varieties were evaluated during Rabi 2010-11 using Randomized Block Design. Highly significant differences were observed among the genotypes for all the traits studied. The cross GIANT-3 x AAI-347 was recognized as the best heterotic cross for grain yield as it exhibited highly significant positive heterosis over the standard checks HUW 510. The cross GIANT-3 x PBW-343 exhibited highest and significant positive heterosis over better parent, mid parent and over the standard checks for number of tillers per plant and 1000 grain weight. The present study reveals good scope for isolation of pure lines from the progenies of heterotic F1s as well as commercial exploitation of heterosis in bread wheat.