Line X tester analysis and heterosis in grain sorghum hybrids under Arab-Elawamer conditions

Abstract EN

Sixteen F1 grain sorghum crosses, its parents (four female lines and four male lines) and one commercial hybrid (shandaweel-305) as check were evaluated for yield and five other characters in 2014 seasons at Arab el-Awamer res.

station and shandaweel res.

station.

randomized completed block design with three replications was used at each location.

the obtained data showed significant orhighly significant differences between locations, genotypes, locationsxgenotypes and location x parents inter actionfor all studied traits except panicle width.

males x females x locations interaction was significant or highly significant for all studied traits.

the heterosis values of the better parent ranged from -26.9% in 1000 grain weight to 52.03% in panicle width / plant.then, the results showed that six crosses were highly significant early flowered than the check and five crosses were highly significantly out yielded the check 305.

the heterosis values of most crosses were highly significant for panicle width, panicle length and grain yield more than the best parent.

the female line icsb-88005 had significantly negative and positive GCA effects for days to 50% flowering and grain yield / plant, respectively.

this result indicates that this line had desirable gene action and could be considered good combiners for both traits.

six crosses had negative and significant SCA effects for days to 50% flowering and they were considered to be the best combiners for earliness.

one cross (icsr-93004 x icsb-89002) showed positive and highly significant SCA for grain yield / plant.

the female line (icsb-88005) had positive and highly significantly GCA effect for grain yield and vice-versa for days to50% flowering.

this line had favorable gene action and could be considered good combiners for both traits.