Estimation of Heterosis and Inbreeding Depression for Yield Related and Quality Traits in Forage Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor L. (Moench)]

The present study was conducted at GBPUAT Pantnagar to study the heterosis and inbreeding depression for nine yield related and three quality traits which consisted of seventy F1 crosses developed through line x tester mating design involving ten cytoplasmic male sterile (female) lines and seven pollinator (male) lines during Kharif 2018 and 70 F2s developed by selfing of F1 crosses during Kharif 2019 in random block design (R.B.D.) with three replications. Observations were recorded on plant height, stem girth, number of leaves per plant, leaf length, leaf width, leaf area, leaf: stem ratio, total soluble solids, HCN content, green fodder yield per plot, dry fodder yield per plot, and protein percent. The observed F1data was analyzed for mid parent heterosis, heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis whereas F2data was analyzed for inbreeding depression. The large number of crosses exhibited heterosis and inbreeding depression in desired direction for all yield related and quality traits under study which indicated the presence of additive as well as non-additive gene actions. The crosses ICSA 271 x PC 5, ICSA 276 x CSV-15, 993100 A x 04K 668, 11 A2 x 04 K 693, ICSA 469 x 04 K 668, ICSA 293 x 01 K 733, SPA2 94012 x 04 K 700, ICSA 293 x CSV-15, SP 55609 A x UPMC-8, and 993100 A x 04 K 700 exhibited high mean performance for all the traits under study coupled with high heterosis in desired direction.