Heterosis of Agronomic Characters in Jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.)

Abstract

An approach to increase the productivity of jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.) is to exploit hybrid vigor of the F1 progeny for possible production of hybrid varieties. In the current study, three toxic accessions (high phorbol ester) from each of Myanmar and Thailand were crossed with non-toxic
accession (low phorbol ester) from Mexico. Six F1 progenies and their parents were determined for the degree of heterosis at Kasetsart University, Thailand. Individual plants from each progeny were observed on major agronomic characters at various growth stages. Heterosis of individual characters in each cross were calculated and tested for significance by a t-test. Four crosses showed significant heterosis in yield per plant. Crosses showing heterosis in yield also showed heterosis in characters related to seedlings, mature fruits, plant growth, and fruit and seed size. Superiority over mid-parent for yield per plant ranged from 32.50% to 262.92%, and over better parent ranged from 11.74% to 195.93%. Across all characters, crosses showing the highest heterosis over mid- parent and better parent were Myanmar 2 × Mexico and Myanmar 3 × Mexico.