Abstract

                                Heterosis (over better parent) and inbreeding depression were estimated among 50 hybrids generated from 15 parents in blackgram for nine biometriacal traits. Maximum heterobeltiosis was observed for branches per plant followed by pods per plant, seed yield per plant followed by pods per plant. The crossesvig.. Vamban 1 x VB 3. Vamban 1 x VB 20 and Pant U 30 x TAU 5 showed high heterosis over better parent for pods per plant and seed yield per plant. In general, hybrids showing high heterosis also showed high inbreeding depression for most of the characters suggesting the importance of non-additive gene action.

Key words : Blackgram. Heterosis, Inbreeding depression