Studies on estimation of heterotic effects on seed yield and its component traits in castor (Ricinus communis L.)

Thirty castor (Ricinus communis L.) hybrids developed by crossing three pistillate lines and ten monoecious lines in line x tester mating design were evaluated along with parents for seed yield and component traits and the data was analyzed for heterosis. The analysis of variance showed that mean square due to parents, crosses and parents vs. crosses were found significant for all the characters, indicating the presence of sufficient amount of genetic diversity in the material. The hybrids viz., DPC-9 × Haritha, M-574 × SKI-215, DPC-9 × PCS-106 and DPC-9 × JC-12 were highly heterotic for seed yield and its contributing characters. Number of crosses exhibiting significant relative heterosis, heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis for seed yield were 29, 19 and 4, respectively. Number of effective spikes per plant, primary spike length, 100 seed weight and number of nodes were important yield contributing characters.