Heterotic Studies for Yield and its Related Traits in Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.)

The present study was conducted on six parents and eighteen hybrids developed at ICAR Indian institute of millets reaserch, rajendranagar, hyderabad, for sixteen characters. ANOVA revealed significant difference among genotypes for all characters studied. In the present investigation eighteen crosses generated by Line × Tester mating design were evaluated and heterosis estimated. Heterosis studies helps in finding out superior hybrids over mid parent (Average heterosis), better parent (heterobeltiosis) and standard check crosses studied four crosses viz., 291A X 23S216, 291A X 23S168, 291A X 23S156 and 291A X 23S224 were found as the best performing hybrids for grain yield and its component traits.