Identifying heterotic combinations for yield and quality traits in Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

An experiment was conducted to estimate the nature and magnitude of heterosis for grain yield, its components and quality traits in a diallel cross of eight genetically diverse wheat genotypes excluding reciprocals. Highly significant differences were observed among the genotypes for all the traits studied. Significant heterobeltiosis, average heterosis and standard heterosis was observed in the cross BL 3065 x DBW 16 with a value 39.64, 54.59 and 54.30, respectively over the check variety, UP 2554 and it was adjudged best heterotic cross combination for grain yield per plant. The cross UP 2596 x NAPHAL exhibited significant positive standard heterosis for number of tillers per plant and spikelets per spike over the check. The cross UP 2754 x NAPHAL exhibited highest and significant positive heterosis over better parent and mid parent for grains protein content. These crosses can be used in developing high yielding cultivar with good quality traits.