Heterosis for economic traits in coconut ( Cocos nucifera L.)

Field studies conducted for a period of 12 years to assess the traits responsible for yield performance and heterosis of twelve coconut hybrids in comparison with three varieties showed that among the hybrids, GBGD x ECT recorded the highest mean yield of 127.6 nuts palm -1 year -1 and was on par with ECT x GBGD (106.9 nuts palm -1 year -1 ), COD x LCT (108.0 nuts palm -1 year -1 ) and WCT x MYD (107.6 nuts palm -1 year -1 ). Hybrid GBGD x PHOT recorded the highest fruit length (23.9 cm) followed by ECT x GBGD (23.3 cm). The hybrid ECT x GBGD recorded the highest values for most of the fruit characteristics viz. , fruit breadth (17.3 cm), fruit weight (1180.0 g), husked fruit weight (758.0 g) and copra weight (231.1 g). The variety ‘Laccadive Ordinary’ recorded higher oil content (71.1%) compared to its hybrids, LCT x GBGD (70.8%), COD x LCT (70.0%) and LCT x COD (69.8%). Hybrids displayed substantial differences in their heterotic response for nut characters. The highest yielding hybrid, GBGD x ECT excelled its standard check by 40.8 per cent followed by LCT x COD (39.4%).