Heterosis for yield determinants over environments in castor, Ricinus communis L.

摘要

Forty four castor hybrids developed by line x tester mating design (four pistillate lines x 11 male parents) were studied along with parents and a standard check for heterosis of yield determinant characters. Significant desired heterobeltiosis rangedfrom 18.7 to 39.6% and standard heterosis ranged from 17 to 32.8% for seed yield/plant. Other characters also showed considerable heterosis over better parent and standard check. However, magnitude of heterosis was found to vary substantially from crossto cross and character to character. Five superior hybrids sorted out on the basis of seed yield/plant perse showed no indication of yield heterosis over better parents contributed by heterosis arising from yield components. However, effective branches/plant found to be major contributor toward seed yield so far standard heterosis is concerned. The JP 88 x DCS 89, JP 65 x DCS 89, JP 88 x PCS 124, JP 88 x Jl 274 and JP 65 x Jl 309 were the promising hybrids over standard check (GCH 6), need to be testedin different agroclimatic zones to prove theiryield superiority over the environments.