Heterosis for yield performance in papaya (carica papaya l.)

Abstract

A diallel cross involving seven genotypes of papaya (Carica papaya L.) showed varying levels of heterosis over higher and mid-parent for all the characters studied. Most of the crosses showed highly significant negative mid parent heterosis for plant height. Maximum better parent heterosis for number of fruits per plant and individual fruit weight was 21.71% and 47.50%, respectively. Significant positive heterosis for flesh thickness over better parent was observed in eight crosses. Maximum heterotic effect for total soluble solids was recorded in the cross Pusa Nanha X Co.2 and the cross Shahi X Pusa Nanha showed the highest better parent heterosis (43.24%) for yield.