HETEROSIS FOR GRAIN YIELD IN PEARL MILLET (PENNISETUM TYPHOIDES (B.) S. and H.)

Abstract

Pronounced grain yield heterosis with varying degree and magnitude was expressed in various individual crosses under different environments. Environment-specific as well as widely adaptable hybrids and parents were identified. The top ranking hybrids were 126D2A xJ 1248, 5054A XJ1623,and 5141A XA487.The male sterile line 5054A and pollinator J 1248 were versatile for providing highly heterotic hybrids in individual as well as across the environments. Differential behaviour of heterosis under varying environments and various breeding approaches are discussed.