INTERVARIETAL HYBRIDIZATION AND CROSSABILITY STUDIES IN TURNIP

Intervarietal hybridization and crossability studies were made in six varietal populations of Indian turnip (Brassica rapa L.). It was noted that the cross-incompatibility was of lesser degree in all the crosses, except a few. Different varieties of turnip when crossed among themselves behaved differently. Seed and silique set also varied considerably. The climatic conditions and date of sowing also influenced the crosses. Reciprocal differences did exist. F1 hybrids were generally superior to their parents which may be attributed to heterosis. Meiosis was noted to be even more balanced and normal in F1 hybrids than their parental forms.