Heterosis and combining ability in rice (Oryza sativa L.) hybrids developed for Kerala state

Abstract

Substantial increase in rice (O/yza sativa L.) production can be achieved only with the use of suitable hybrids. The main objective of this investigation was to identify good general and specific combiners and heterotic cross combinations for yield and its component traits from among the high yielding and widely adapted rice varieties of Kerala. Five genetically diverse and widely adapted rice varieties of Kerala viz., Annapoorna (Ptb 35), Matta Triveni (Ptb 45), Kanchana (Ptb 50), IR36 and Aiswarya (Ptb 52) were crossed with four stable cytoplasmicgenetic male sterile lines viz., IR 62829 A, IR 68890 A, IR68891 A and PMS 10A in a line x tester mating design. The twenty hybrids along with their nine parents were evaluated at Agricultural Research Station, Mannuthy, Kerala. Fifteen plants were selected randomly from each plot for recording observations on panicles per plant, days to flowering, grain yield per plant, grains per panicle and hundred seed weight. Data were subjected to heterosis and combining ability analysis.