Heterosis breeding in aromatic rice (Oryza sativa L.) for yield and quality characters

Abstract

Pollen and spikelet fertility of 75 F1's were counted, total 41 potential restorers and 11 effective maintainers were identified for different CMS lines, these effective maintainers can be used to develop new aromatic CMS lines through repeated back crossing. Forty one hybrids were evaluated for yield and quality characters with Pusa Basmati-1 and Basmati-370, respectively. Based on quality characters, three hybrids viz., IR 58025 A x PB-6-12-55-5, IR 68888A x Patloon Tahni and IR 68888A x Gopal Bhog were identified superior which also exhibited higher yield heterosis. Hybrid, IR 68888A x Patloon Tahni was early in maturity and also showed high outcrossing. These hybrids can be exploited successfully in hybrid rice breeding programme.