Combining Ability Estimates in Arachis hypogaea L. II. Field Performance of F 1 Hybrids 1

Abstract

Estimates of heterosis and combining ability were made using 15 hybrid combinations grown under field conditions. The hybrids were produced by crossing in diallel six peanut ( Arachis hypogaea L.) lines collected from three geographic areas of South America. Of 17 characters, estimates of specific combining ability were significant for 16 and estimates of general combining ability were significant for 8. Specific combining ability was greater for yield and for most fruit characters.Several of the crosses showed considerable heterosis when compared with mid‐parent means. Crosses of Virginia × Valencia type parents gave greater heterosis than other crosses for vegetative plant characters. However crosses of Valencia × Spanish type parents gave greatest heterosis for yield and fruit characters.Comparison of field results with results obtained previously in a controlled environment indicated that the controlled environment may have limited use in predicting field performance of peanut hybrids.