DETERMINATION OF HETEROSIS FOR GRAIN YIELD IN MAIZE HYBRIDS IN NEPAL

Determination of heterosis in maize hybrids is necessary for their commercial exploitation. Data derived from several experiments namely Coordinated Varietal Trial-Hybrid (CVTH), Diallel Crosses, Observation Nurseries (OBN), Top Crosses and Test Crosses conducted at Rampur (Chitwan) and Parwanipur (Bara) from 2004/05 to 2008/09 were complied to determine heterosis and identify high yielding hybrids. The maize hybrids namely RML-4/RML-7, RML-5/NML-1, NML-2/RML-6, RML-6/RML-7, RML-5/RL-47, RML-8/RL-47, RML-5/RML-8, NML-1/RML-17, RML-7/RML-18, RML-6/RML-18 and RML-5/NML-1 produced high heterosis (greater than 40%) indicating these hybrids superior for commercial cultivation.