The present investigation was undertaken in order to estimate the heterosis for grain yield and its attributing traits in Macaroni wheat (Triticum durum Desf.). The crosses were attempted by using line × tester mating design among eight lines and four testers during rabi 2023-24. The resultant 32 hybrids together with 12 parents and 1 standard check (GW 1339) were tested using randomized block design with three replications at Wheat Research Station, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh during Rabi 2024-25. A total of six and five hybrids exhibited significant desirable heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis, respectively for grain yield per plant. The heterobeltiosis for grain yield per plant ranged from -43.43 % to 83.99 %, while standard heterosis ranged from -58.69 % to 42.36 %. The highest heterosis over better parent in desirable direction was recorded by cross MACS 3949 × GDW 1255 (83.99%), UAS 475 × GDW 1255 (69.02%) and HD 4758 × HI 8737 (61.26%). The highest significant heterosis towards positive direction over standard check were recorded by five crosses viz., MACS 3949 × GDW 1255 (42.36%), HD 4758 × WHD 965 (28.66%), HD 4758 × HI 8737 (27.40%), UAS 475 × GDW 1255 (19.36%) and MACS 3949 × WHD 965 (9.45%). Hybrids with desirable traits for yield components showed increased grain yield, which is likely due to the combined effect of those improved traits.
Jeel et al. (Wed,) studied this question.