Heterosis for micronutrients, grain yield and yield components involving diversemale sterile lines in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.]

Abstract

The line tester analysis was used to assess the magnitude of heterosis and combining ability with respect to ironand zinc density,grain yield and its component traits in pearl millet under rainfed conditionsduring kharif, 2020 at RegionalAgricultural Research Station, Vijayapur using 56 hybrids, fifteen parents (eight lines and seven testers), and four checksincluding national check GHB-558, local check VPMH 7, commercial checks 86 M 38, and Kaveri super boss.For grainyield per hectare, twenty-seven hybrids exceeded check GHB-558, four hybrids outperformed over local check VPMH7 and commercial check 86 M 38. One hybrid exceeded over best check Kaveri super boss. Twentyfive and ten hybrids overGHB-558, ten and twenty-eight hybrids over VPMH 7, twenty six and thirty hybrids over 86 M 38 and fifty two and fiftyfour hybrids over check Kaveri super boss exhibited significant positive standard heterosis for iron and zinc density,respectively. Two hybrids viz., ICMA 15666 × Fe & Zn-1(3,963 kg ha-1 grain yield, 81 and 56 ppm iron and zinc density)and ICMA 15666 × Fe & Zn-9 (3,926 kg ha-1 grain yield, 62 and 41 ppm iron and zinc density) were superior for grainyield, iron and zinc density.