Estimation of heterosis in different crosses of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

An experiment was conducted to estimate the nature and magnitude of heterosis for grain yield and its component traits using line × tester mating design (8 lines and 4 testers). The conspicuous heterotic effects were observed for grain yield per plant and its components. A total of 7 and 6 hybrids manifested significant desirable heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis, respectively for grain yield per plant. The heterobeltiosis for grain yield ranged from -46.25 to 51.74%, while standard heterosis ranged from -30.03 to 47.95%. The cross GW 11 × GW 451 (51.74%) exhibited the highest desirable heterosis over better parent followed by HD 2932 × GW 451 (33.24%) and HD 2932 × GW 496 (33.16%). The cross MP 3288 × GW 366 (47.95%) exhibited highest significant heterosis towards positive direction over standard check, followed by GW 11 × GW 451 (46.35%) and MP 3288 × HI 1544 (40.58%). Such crosses can be exploited for development of high yielding varieties.