Fruit setting & their seed germination rate of half diallel crossed flower of eight best-selected Jatropha curcus

The present investigation was carried out for determining the rate of seed setting of half dialled cross flower of best Jatropha plant at Nagri field 7 km away from the Institute of Forest Productivity, Ranchi. The half diallel crossing was done among the eight best parents. Total of 28 different crosses was made. The highest seed setting was observed in cross 6 × 8 (79.61%) whereas the lowest seed setting was observed in cross 1 × 6 (45.81%). Matured fruits were collected during July – August 2015 and within a week of fruit collection; seeds were sown in open sand bed at the campus of Institute of Forest Productivity, Ranchi. The maximum (92.23%) and minimum (55.78%) seed germination was observed in cross 4× 6 and 3 × 8, respectively. It was observed that crossing did during April - May produced early fruit setting but later on, fruits were dried due to scorching in the month of May. The best time was during June-July for dial crossing in the agro climatic zone of Ranchi district. The seed germination was also depended upon climatic condition and season. The best time for seed germination was in the warm season before or at the onset of the rains.