Exploitation of Heterosis in Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.): A Comprehensive Evaluation of F₁ Hybrids for Yield and Quality Traits

R S Archana, M Reddi Sekhar, D Lokanadha Reddy, R.P. Vasanthi and K.V. Naga Madhuri

Abstract:

Heterosis analysis was performed in 20 F₁ s of groundnut derived from a Line × Tester mating
design involving 5 lines (Dharani, Dheeraj, Kadiri Amaravathi, Narayani and Kadiri-6) and 4 testers (ICGV-06188, ICGV-171377, ICGV-95165 and Bheema) for pod yield, yield attributing and
quality traits (oil, protein and sucrose). Among all the F₁ s, Kadiri-6 × ICGV-171377 showed the
highest heterotic advantage in pod yield plant-1 and kernel yield plant-1 compared to the standard parent Kadiri-6 reflecting the influence of over-dominant gene action. Similarly, Narayani × ICGV 06188, Kadiri-6 × ICGV-95165 and Kadiri-6 × ICGV-171377 consistently exhibited high positive heterosis for pod yield plant-1, kernel yield plant-1, harvest index and quality para meters. while also showing desirable negative heterosis for days to flowering and maturity. Hence, these crosses represent promising heterotic combinations for further development of high-yielding and quality improved groundnut lines through recombination breeding.