Heterosis Studies for Some Morphological, Seed Yield and Quality Traits in Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)

Abstract

Heterosis has a significant position in rapeseed breeding. To assess the heterosis for seed yield and quality traits, three Brassica napus L. testers and five lines were crossed using line × tester design in RCBD with three replications to obtain cross seeds of fifteen hybrids. Data of fifteen characters were recorded. Mean sum of squares of analysis of variances for genotypes were significant or highly significant for all of the fifteen traits. Low to High degree of desirable heterosis over mid, better and commercial parents were observed. Cross 13 showed maximum values of siliqua length (14.3%, 11.1%), seed yield/plant (45.3%, 35.9%) and LnicC (-43.7%, -37.6%) for MPH and BPH as well as LnicC (-38.3%) for CH. Cross 3 revealed highest PC (5.5%, 4.4%), Cross 4 for NSP (28.4%, 25.3%), Cross 10 for GLC (-13.5%, -33.2%) and Cross 15 for NSS (22.8%, 10.8%) over MPH and BPH. Maximum OC (9.3%, 6.9%) was revealed by Cross 8 for BPH and CH. Cross No. 1 possessed highest heterosis over commercial variety ‘Punjab Sarson’ for PC (21.2%), OAC (10.8%), LeicC (46.8%), DM (-6.8%), EAC (-36.9%) and GLC (-29.3%). Cross 6 revealed maximum CH for SY (73.3%) and DF (-10.8%). The present study provides valuable facts of noble hybrids with improved traits related to nutrition and yield, as well as valuable information for further molecular and genetic studies of heterosis for these agronomic traits in B. napus.

Keywords: Brassica napus L., Line × Tester, Heterosis, Morphological, Seed quality