Heterosis and inbreeding depression in F2 population of rice (Oryza sativa L.) for yield and related traits

This study was conducted to evaluate genetic variation among eight parents and their six F2 populations for various morphological attributes at the Regional Rice Research Station, N.A.U., Vyara during Kharif – 2015. For grain yield per plant all the six crosses were displayed highly significant average heterosis in desired direction. Whereas, significant heterobeltiosis in desired direction was exhibited by the crosses NVSR 2031 x GAR-13, IR-28 x GAR-13, Gurjari x Varalu and GR-7 x GAR-13. The significantly negative relative heterosis for days to flowering was depicted by the crosses Gurjari x Varalu and GR-7 x GAR-13, respectively. Which indicates the chances of desired transgressive segregants for this trait. In plant height three out of six viz., NVSR 2031 x GAR-13, IR-28 x GAR-13 and Gurjari x Varalu expressed significantly positive inbreeding depression. These crosses might be useful for getting dwarf stature in segregating generations.