Heterotic implications for yield and quality traits in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Forty two rice first filial crosses were generated during rabi 2018-19 period utilizing seven lines and six testers adopting line x tester crossing fashion to get a hold of yield superiority hybrids with blast tolerance. The heterotic components were investigated for yield and quality traits on test hybrids. The results signified the greater heterotic vigour for yield and its component traits while the quality traits particularly length breadth ratio, length elongation ratio breadth elongation ratio and amylase content adjudged to express lower level of heterosis. Thirty five crosses exhibited significantly positive value for relative heterosis while twenty four hybrids showed positive and significant heterobeltiosis. The cross involving White Ponni (128.73 to 157.16), IR 20 (102.85 to 133.32) and CO 50 (95.80 to 125.49) as female parent witnessed to perform extremely superior for yield among the lines deployed. Considering yield and its component traits, the crosses viz., White ponnix Thuyamalli, Whiteponnix Chandaikar, ADT 38 x ADT39, IR 20 xThuyamalli, IR 20 x ADT 39, ACK14072 xSivappumalli, CR 1009 sub 1 x ADT 39, ADT 38 xThuyamalli can be consistently exploited for evolution of great performing rice varieties.