Heterosis and inbreeding depression in Indian mustard

Abstract

For seed yield, (heterosis over better parent) was highest in the cross RAU RP 4 x PR 18, followed by RLM 198 x Varuna, RAU RP 4 x Varuna,and TM 7 x Varona. The crosses RAU RP 4 x Varuna, TM 7 x Varona, and RLM 198 x Varona, showing high heterosis for seed yield, also exhibited significant (higher) heterosis for yield contributing characters. In general, it was noticed that the crosses having Varona as one of the parents had higher heterosis. In most of the crosses, there was no inbreeding depression. Only four crosses, viz. TM 7 x Sita, TM 7 x Varona, RLM 198 x Varona, and RLM 198 x Prakash, showing significant positive heterosis, also showed inbreeding over selling.