Heterosis in ion uptake patterns in some sorghum hybrids and parents: A study with ⁸⁶Rb absorption and transport

Abstract

The uptake patterns of Rb were examined in four popular sorghum hybrids along with their parents, employing excised roots and intact seedlings with a view to identify heterosis in the absorption or transport processes. The cultivars consisted of two types, generally grown under irrigated or rainfed conditions. The results revealed that there was heterosis in the absorption by excised roots in the rainfed hybrid CSH‐8; and in the trans‐location of Rb to the shoot in the irrigated hybrids, CSH‐5 and CSH‐6. There were significant differences in the absorption and transport of Rb among the cultivars, and between the rainfed and irrigated ones. This suggests that several ion uptake parameters have to be examined while looking for the phenomenon of heterosis in hybrid plants and it should not be restricted to one or two features.

Key words:

• Heterosis
• ion uptake
• Rubidium
• Sorghum hybrids
• absorption
• transport