Heterosis for yield and quality traits in rice

Twenty rice hybrids developed through a line× tester crossing programme involving five high yielding lines and four superior grain quality testers were evaluated for yield and quality characters. Significant heterosis for grain yield and quality traits were observed in most of the hybrids. Higher magnitude of heterosis against all yield and quality traits were not expressed in a single hybrid combination which varied from cross to cross due to diverse genetic background of their parents. Most of the heterotic crosses for grain yield plant−1were accompanied by heterosis for two or more component traits. The cross combinations IET 5656×Kalonunia, IET 8002×Dudheswar, IET 5656 × Dudheswar and IR 62×Sambamahsuri were identified for their superior yield and grain quality characters. In general heterosis was found to be low for quality traits as compared to yield and yield components.