Heterosis in barley (hordeum vulgare l.)

Abstract

Abstract : Heterosis of ten two-row and six-row barley (Hordeum vulgare L) crosses were studied on grain yield, yield components and other important agronomic traits. On an average, the hybrids performed significantly better than the parents. Significant positive heterosis was observed for all the characters. Average heterosis for grain yield was found to be 43.3% and 27.2 % over mid-parent (MP) and high- parent(HP), respectively. The crosses BTYN-37 X CHB-94, Bel-20 X CHB-94 and E-6 X Bel-20 exhibited high heterosis for grain yield. Moreover, the per se performance of these crosses were also found high. Most of the crosses showed significant and positive heterosis over MP for number of effective tillers per plant and grain weight. Only one cross (BTYN-37 X CHB-94) exhibited significant positive heterosis in all the yield components. Maximum heterosis for grain yield occurred between unrelated two-rowed parents.