Estimation of Heterosis for Yield and Quality Traits in Pearl Millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.]

In this research thirty-three hybrids of pearl millet were developed in line x tester mating design using three CMS lines as females and eleven restorer lines as males during summer, 2022 and evolution of 33 hybrids and three checks in terms of heterosis during kharif, 2022 at Research farm of AICRP on Pearl Millet, Mandor (Jodhpur) Rajasthan. For all the traits Significant differences were found among various genotypes, parents and parent’s vs hybrids. The hybrids ICMA 04999 × MIR 915, ICMA 94555 × MIR 1252 and ICMA 04999 × MIR 710 were used for grain yield per plant and hybrids ICMA 94555 × MIR 1252, ICMA 96333 × MIR 710 and ICMA 96333 × MIR 705-1 were advisable for fodder yield per plant. For zinc content, three hybrids like ICMA 94555 × MIR 606, ICMA 94555 × MIR 1106 and ICMA 94555 × MIR 1259 showed positive standard heterosis. Five topmost hybrids, namely ICMA 04999 × MIR 915, ICMA 94555 × MIR 1252, ICMA 96333 × MIR 710, ICMA 96333 × MIR 1253 and ICMA 04999 × MIR 525-2 were advantageous for grain yield per plant and fodder yield per plant because they had high per se performance and positive standard heterosis for both traits and also showed positive heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis for other traits. Therefore, these hybrids are of considerable practical importance which were proved to be superior over best standard check.