Identification of best heterotic cross combination for oil yield and its quantitative traits in basil (Ocimum basilicum).

Heterosis and inbreeding depression were studies for oil yield and its contributing traits were through generation mean analysis to identify the best heterotic cross combination. The improvement in oil yield is the prime objective of breeding programme of basil because it is oil as well as ornamental and medicinal crop thus, at the time of selection; oil yield received maximum attention of plant breeder for the selection of a genotype. From the present investigation, the cross C3 (EC 388896 x IC 369247) showed significant and desirable heterobeltios and minimum inbreeding depression was recognized as the best heterotic cross for oil yield, fresh herb yield and dry herb yield. The cross C2 (EC 387893 x IC 326711) exhibited significant and positive heterosis for all three types for plant height and showed significant standard heterosis for plant height, number of branches per plant, days to flowering, chlorophyll content, and oil content. However, at present time implication of heterosis breeding in basil for oil yield improvement is not possible but in future inclusion of lines with good combining ability in a national hybrid basil breeding programme may offer genetic improvement for higher oil yield and its component traits. These individual crosses may be exploited further in future in heterosis breeding programme for the improvement of oil yield and other contributing traits according to the objective of breeding programme.