Heterosis in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) for seed yield and its components

Abstract

Heterosis was estimated in 36 hybrids produced through line x tester mating design. Maximum Heterosis over mid parent was observed for 100-seed weight (86.94%) followed by pods per plant (85.97%). Significantly positive heterosis was observed for seed yield per plant (66.21%), seeds per pod (57.89%), branches per plant (45.45%), harvest index (39.83%), days to maturity (24.30%), plant height (22.84%). Significant negative heterosis was observed for days to flowering (-18.44%) and in case of protein content, only one cross depicted significant heterosis (13.34%). The characters such as pods per plant, branches per plant, seeds per pod and 100-seed weight appeared to be contributing for grain yield per plant. The exploitation of heterosis for yield and its components has been discussed.