Heterosis for quality traits in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Nine high yielding rice genotypes along with their twenty crosses which effected in line x tester fashion (5x4) were subjected to study the heterosis and heterobeltiosis for quality traits at Agricultural Research Station, Nellore. The estimates of heterosis were low for quality traits viz., kernel length, kernel breadth, kernel L/B ratio, hulling%, milling% and amylose content whereas it was high for head rice recovery, water uptake, volume expansion ratio, kernel elongation ratio, gel consistency and alkali spreading value. The best genotypes with high heterosis were identified were, RNR 2456 x NLR 34449 for head rice recovery, water uptake and volume expansion ratio and RNR 2456 x IR 36 for alkali spreading value, kernel elongation ratio and gel consistency.