Impact of Heterotic Potential in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) for Certain Yield and its Contributing Traits in Salt-Affected Soil

The present investigation was undertaken with the objectives to estimate genetic variability for yield and yield contributing components. The experimental materials of rice for this investigation comprised of 22 genotypes as lines (female) and three testers (male) viz., Narendra Usar 3, NDR 359 and CSR 36. Each of the three testers was crossed with 22 lines during Kharif, 2013. The experiment was based on the evaluation of a line × tester set of 66 hybrids (F1s) along with their 22 parents and check varieties viz., Narendra Usar 3 and Arize 6444, for twelve quantitative trait in salt affected soil in randomized block design with three replications. The analysis of variance revealed that all the treatments, parents, parent vs crosses, crosses, lines and lines x testers were highly significant for majority of the yield and its contributing traits indicated sufficient variation among the treatment/materials under study.In the present investigation, a wide range of variation in estimates of heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis in positive and negative directions was observed for grain yield per plant and its contributing components. In case of grain yield per plant heterobeltiosis ranged from -1.76 per cent (IR 47427-2B-2-2B-1-1× Narendra Usar 3)to 100.14 per cent (Kashturi Chandauli× NDR 359), standard heterosis over SV1varied from -30.85 per cent (AGAMI MI× CSR 36) to 50.84 per cent (Kashturi Chandauli× NDR 359) while over it ranged from -3677 per cent (AGAMI MI× CSR 36) to 37.92 per cent (Kashturi Chandauli× NDR 359). Kashturi Chandauli× NDR 359, IR 74095 AC 5 × NDR 359, Narendra 6096 × NDR 359, Sarjoo 52 × Narendra Usar 3 and Kashturi Chandauli× Narendra Usar 3 were found highly significant over BP, while Kashturi Chandauli× NDR 359, IR 74095 AC 5 × NDR 359, Narendra 6096 × NDR 359, Sarjoo 52 × Narendra Usar 3 and Jaya × Narendra Usar 3 had highly significant over standard variety SV1. Further Kashturi Chandauli × NDR 359, IR 74095 AC 5 × NDR 359, Narendra 6096 × NDR 359, Sarjoo 52 × Narendra Usar 3 and Jaya × Narendra Usar 3 were found to be highly significant over SV2 for grain yield per plant. The estimates of heterosis were attributed to genetic interaction arising from both additive as well as high degree of non additive gene action for major physiological traits. Two physiological traits viz., biological yield per plant and harvest index followed by spikelets per panicle, 1000- grain weight, L: B ratio and flag leaf area remained as major contributors to heterobiltiosis and standard heterosis. It reflects that emphasis should be given to select these traits to enhance the production and productivity in salt affected soil.