Restoration reaction in the F1 hybrids derived from F3 maldandi restorers on different cytoplasm in rabi sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]

Abstract

In this study, a reported restorer on maldandi cytoplasm DSMR 8 was used to identify restorer variants in early segregating generation. Large F₂ population of the cross M31-2A × DSMR 8 were grown. Among them fifteen superior restoring plants were selected and forwarded to F₃ generation. These fifteen F₃ plants were crossed to three male sterile lines having both milo and maldandi cytoplasmic source (M31-2A, 401A and 104A) in L × T design. The results revealed that all the obtained hybrids on both milo and maldandi cytoplasm were fertile and conferred that maldandi restorers works well on the milo cytoplasm because the pollen parents (F₃ lines) used were having maldandi restorer gene. Hybrids having parent’s MR 4 (F₃ Maldandi Restorer line), MR 12, MR 1, MR 14 and MR 2 were found to be good per se performer for grain yield and restoration on. Hybrids having parent MR 1 was found to be the best performer for grain yield and restoration across all cytoplasm (M31-2A, 104A and 401 A). Through early generation combining ability it was possible to identify promising restorer with superior agronomical traits on maldandi as well as milo cytoplasm.