USE OF MALE STERILITY TO MEASURE HETEROSIS IN PIGEONPEA (CAJANUS CAJAN L. MILLSP.)

Abstract

The hybrids developed with three genetic male sterile lines, MS 3A, MS 4A and MS Prabhat, using twenty diverse pollinators were evaluated. A large number of hybrids depicted significant and useful heterosis over better parent and standard variety, BON 2, for seed yield per plant which was due to high heterosis for pods per plant, plant height and branches per plant. Such hybrids were early in maturity with reduced plant height. Heterosis for seed yield overbetter parent was highest in the crossMS3A xOL 78-1 «79.9%), followed by MS Prabhat x ICPL 384 (78.2%). In respect of superiority over the cultivated variety BON 2, the crosses MS 3A x IPCL 8504 (74.9 %), MS 4A x B12 (40.7 %), and MS 3 A x ICPL 6997 (35.1) were the three best hybrids. The hybrids involving both the early parents were superior for early maturity but not for seed yield. The high heterotic hybrids involved at least one medium duration parent.