Evaluation of F1 hybrids in onion developed through male sterility

Onion is one of the pioneer crop in which heterosis has been reported for yield and other economic characters. However, in India, at present no commercially viable onion hybrid is available. ICAR-DOGR has started research work on development of stable high yielding F1 hybrids with uniformity in bulb characters. Sixty F1 hybrids of red onion were developed using five male sterile lines in cross with selected twelve elite lines as pollinators. These F1 hybrids along with their parents and checks were evaluated for three years at ICAR-Directorate of Onion and Garlic Research, Rajgurunagar, Pune (Maharashtra). Eight F1 hybrids viz., DOGR Hy-1, DOGR Hy-2, DOGR Hy-3, DOGR Hy-4, DOGR Hy-5, DOGR Hy-7, DOGR Hy-8 and DOGR Hy-50 were found promising and have been tested at various locations through All India Network Research Project on Onion and Garlic. Among these, DOGR Hy-1 (413.00 q/ha), DOGR Hy-2 (349.60 q/ha) and DOGR Hy-50 (374.55 q/ha) showed 42.84%, 20.91% and 24.11% heterosis, respectively, for bulb yield over the best check during rabi season. DOGR Hy-3 (342.00 q/ha), DOGR Hy-4 (340.80 q/ha) and DOGR Hy-5 (387.25 q/ha) showed 16.22%, 15.81% and 20.11% heterosis, respectively, over the best check during kharif season. DOGR Hy-7 (407.50 q/ha) showed 34.88% heterosis over the best check Bhima Red during rabi and also found suitable for kharif. DOGR Hy-8 (544.45 q/ha) showed 23.57% heterosis over the best check Bhima Shakti during late kharif. Although all hybrids had good storability, early maturity and were free from doubles and bolters, two hybrids namely DOGR Hy-7 and DOGR Hy-50 were the best in respect of these characters.