HETEROSIS IN INDIAN MUSTARD BRASSICA-JUNCEA (L) COSS

F1 hybrids of a 3 parent complete diallel crosses including reciprocals of 3 Brassica juncea L., cultivars were studied to estimate heterosis in 6 agronomic characters. Results demonstrated that the parent and their F1 hybrids differed significantly for all the parameters studied, indicating substantial variation within parents and their hybrids. Manifestation of heterosis was observed for all the traits in atleast one or more crosses. Highest heterotic values were found branches per plant. Only one hybrid exceeded the performance of its best parent for seed yield. The extent of the heterotic effects was appreciably influenced by the hybrid genotype, the direction of cross and the trait concerned. The cross P-43 x S-9 may be selected out as the superior hybrid combination which can be exploited as source for generating new high yielding Brassica juncea variety for commercial production.