Economic heterosis and identification of superior hybrids for seed yield and oil content in Taramira (Eruca sativa Mill.) under stress condition

Abstract

Taramira (Eruca sativa Mill.) is an important drought-tolerant oilseed crop cultivated under arid and semi-arid conditions.
The present study was undertaken to assess the magnitude of economic heterosis for seed yield and its component
traits using thirty F1 hybrids developed through a line × tester mating design. The hybrids, parents and a standard check
were evaluated in a randomized block design with three replications under three sowing environments during Rabi
2024–25. Significant economic heterosis was observed for all the traits studied, indicating substantial scope for the
exploitation of hybrid vigour in taramira improvement. Desirable negative heterosis was recorded for days to 50%
flowering, days to maturity and plant height, while positive heterosis was observed for major yield-contributing traits.
The highest economic heterosis for seed yield per plant was exhibited by RTM-2202 × RTM-2111 (56.86%), followed by
RTM-2270 × RTM-314 (38.31%) and RTM-2221 × RTM-1624 (36.70%). The cross RTM-2206 × RTM-314 recorded the
highest positive heterosis for oil content (8.23%). Several superior hybrids also expressed significant heterosis for
branching traits, siliquae per plant, siliqua density, seeds per siliqua and 1000-seed weight, contributing to enhanced
seed yield. The results revealed the predominance of non-additive gene action governing yield and its associated traits
and demonstrated the effectiveness of heterosis breeding in taramira. Based on overall performance and economic
heterosis, RTM-2202 × RTM-2111, RTM-2270 × RTM-314, RTM-2221 × RTM-1624 and RTM-2206 × RTM-314 were
identified as promising hybrids for the development of high-yielding, early maturing and oil-rich taramira cultivars.