Heterosis in relation to genetic divergence and specific combining ability in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Summary The frequency and magnitude of heterosis were examined in relation to genetic divergence among parents in two diallel cross experiments in groundnut. The parents were grouped into clusters based on their diver-gence. The range, mean and standard deviation of the intra-and inter-cluster divergence were used to define four divergence classes. The frequency of heterotic crosses and the magnitude of heterosis for yield and its components were found to be higher in crosses between the parents in intermediate divergence classes than extreme ones. The results agreed well with the overall status of the specific combining ability of these crosses.