Heterosis in diallel crosses of pearl millet. I. Nature and magnitude

Heterosis for 13 traits was studied in a set of diallel crosses among 12 inbred lines of indigenous, exotic and derivative origins. Significant heterosis over midparent was observed for all the traits. Plant height, length and width of leaf and number of nodes of main tiller, expressed undesirable heterosis. Some crosses showed undesirable (positive) heterosis for earliness too. The yield and yield components manifested desirable heterosis. The magnitude of heterosis was highest (39%) for grain yield and lowest (-5% desirable heterosis) for days to 50% flowering. Derived inbred lines was better than indigenous and exotic introductions in the expression of heterosis.