Estimation of mean performance and heterosis in cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) based hybrids in cabbage

Abstract The successful transfer of R-cytoplasm (Ogura)-induced cytoplasmic male sterility has aroused great interest in the development of hybrids in cabbage. An experiment was conducted from 2018 to 2020 to study the per se performance and estimate heterosis in cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata L.), This crop is highly cross-pollinated; thus, exploitation of heterosis is an additional advantage. The experimental material consisted of an F1 population of 18 crosses, resulting from three lines (CMS) crossed with six testers in a Line × Tester design, plus a standard check (Pusa Cabbage Hybrid-1). The per se performance and estimates of heterosis of the cross combinations L1 × T2, L2 × T2, L2 × T5, L3 × T2 and L3 × T5 were high for various horticultural parameters. Hence, after multilocation testing, these parents and crosses can be released to substitute existing cabbage varieties/hybrids.