HETEROSIS STUDIES FOR GRAIN YIELD CHARACTERS (IN RABI SORGHUM (SORGHUM BICOLOR (L.) MOENCH)

Abstract

Sorghum is a staple food of Marathwada region and is preferred for cultiva~ion over_ wheat and pearl millet because of its grain quality and fodder. Th~ initial success with exploitation of hybrid vigour has led to identification of heterotic combinations with higher production potential for grain and fodder. The newly developed male sterile lines 36 A, 1202A and 1258 A, offer a great scope for the exploitation ofnew heterotic combinations. To replace the existing late maturing and lowyielding rabi varieties like M-35-1,$halu and Manthi and hybrids with poor grain qualitylikeCSH-7R and CSH-8R, it is essential to develop hybrids combining high heterosis for grain yield with better grain quality. An attempt has been made to analyse the earhead characters contributing to heterosis for grain yield.