Heterosis for yield and grain mold resistance in rainyseason Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]

A study was conducted to estimate heterosis in 32 hybrids of sorghum with respect to yield and grain mold resistance. Heterosis over better parent displayed a range of -44.10 (DNB 1 × GMRP 81) to 122.90 (SPV 570 × GMRP 13) per cent for grain yield. Among the hybrids DSV 6 × GMRP 97 recorded maximum grain yield and highest heterosis which was significant over commercial check CSH 16 (33.94%) as well as over grain mold resistant varietal check DSV 6 (55.43%). The cross DNB 4×GMRP 950–285 exhibited lowest percent disease index of 31.31% for panicle grain mold rating and lowest positive heterosis of 16.66% over DSV 6. Thus in this study hybrids identified with high heterotic combination with grain mold resistance in rainy season sorghum.