Top cross analysis of lathyrus (Lathyrus sativus L.)

Twenty one F1 crosses obtained by crossing twenty one lines and one tester in a top cross fashion were used to (1) assess the possibility of estimating the amount of heterosis for yield and yield components, (2) to study the general combining ability of parent and (3) to identify superior genotypes. These parents and crosses were grown in the year 2013 at Experimental farm of College of Agriculture Nagpur. Observations on days to 50% flowering, number of pods plant−1, 100 seed weight (g), yield plant−1 (g) and yield plot−1, (g) were recorded. Considerable variability existed among the genotypes, parents and top crosses for all the characters studied. Parents vs. top crosses exhibited considerable variability for the days to 50% flowering, number of pods plant−1, 100 seed weight (g), yield plant−1 (g) and yield plot−1, (g). On basis of per se performance, JRL-16 x Ratan, L-8 x Ratan and NLK-5 x Ratan were identified as potential crosses. The crosses, L-11 x Ratan, NLK-5 x Ratan and L-8 x Ratan recorded significant heterosis over Ratan for yield plant−1 (g) and yield plot−1 (g) along with either for number of pods plant−1 or 100 seed weight (g). The estimate of GCA effect resulted in the identification of L-8, L-11 and JRL-16 as good general combiners for yield and yield contributing characters.