Heterosis and Combining Ability in Pearl Millet

The present investigation was undertaken to know the magnitude of heterosis in crosses and combining ability of male sterile and restorer lines for grain yields and its related traits in Pearl millet. The experimental material consisted of 20 hybrids, 04 maintainer and 05 restorer lines along with 02 checks and was evaluated in two replication at Later during Kharif 2016 with recommended package of practices. the observations were recorded on days to 50 per cent flowering, days to maturity, plant height (cm), total number of tillers per plant, number of effective tillers per plant, 1000 grain weight (g), ear head girth (cm), ear head length (cm), grain yield per plant (g) and fodder yield per plant. the genetic analysis was carried out using line x tester design suggested by Kempthorne (1957). Statistical analysis was done estimating heterosis and combing ability effects using suitable procedures.