Genetic diversity in relation to heterosis and combining ability in spring wheat.

Genetic diversity among ten varieties of spring wheat used as parents in a diallel cross was assessed through multivariate analysis (D(2)-statistics) and then related to heterosis and SCA effects of their hybrids. The parents fell into three groups. Group I contained the varieties, 'Nobre', 'Girua' and 'Carazinho'; group II contained 'Sonalika', 'Lyallpur' and 'Pitic 62' and group III contained 'Indus 66', 'Balaka', 'Sonora 64rs and 'MSl'. The varieties of group I were good general combiners, while the varieties of group III were poor combiners. Significant heterotic and SCA effects for yield and yield components were observed in the hybrids of the parents belonging to different groups but not in the same group. Genetic divergence between the parents had a positive relationship with heterosis and SCA effects of the hybrids.