Heterosis for Yield and Quality Traits in Aromatic Rice (Oryza sativa. L.) Genotypes

The present investigation in aromatic rice (Oryza sativa L.) was undertaken for studying the magnitude of heterosis in 28 hybrids (F1s) made by following 8x8 one way diallel mating design for yields and quality traits. Twenty eight hybrids were measured as per cent increase or decrease over the mean of better parent and over the checks using Pusa Basmati 1 and Taraori Basmati as best checks for yield and quality traits. For the trait days to 50% flowering and days to maturity, superior performer over better parents showed in cross: Pusa Sugandh-2 x Pusa Basmati-1and Pusa-2517-2-51-1x Type-3. Cross combination, Kasturi Basmati x Pusa -2517-251-1 performed superior over better parents and check for number of effective tillers/plant and main panicle length. The other crosses viz., Pusa Sugandh-5 x Pusa Sugandh-2 (kernel length), Pusa Sugandh-5 x Type-3 (amylose content) and Pusa Sugandh-5 x Pusa Basmati-1(Kernel Length, Kernel Length After Cooking, Length/Breadth ratio before cooking) exhibited significant heterosis for important grain quality traits. None of the high yielding hybrids recorded desirable performance over better parents and standard checks for all the yield and quality traits studied. Thus, these hybrids need to be further tested in observational/ multi-location trials before the commercial exploitation of its heterotic potential.