Fakuta et al Greener Journal of Agricultural Sciences Vol. 7 (4), pp. 082-089, June 2017. ISSN: 2276-7770 Research Article Manuscript Number: 031017034 (DOI: http://doi.org/10.15580/GJAS.2017.4.031017034) Estimation of Heterosis for Seedling Growth Traits in Gum Arabic Acacia senegal [L.] Wild Fakuta NM1,Aba DA2, Ado SG2,Usman IS2, and Ojiekpon IF1 1Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, Gum Arabic Sub-Station, Gashua, Nigeria. 2Department of Plant Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Institute for Agriculture Research, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. Abstract Aiming at estimating heterosis and identifying superior Acacia senegal hybrids, six provenances were selected based on their divergence in gum zinc and manganese concentration and were crossed using in 6 x 6 half diallel mating scheme to produce 15 F1 hybrids. The experiment was conducted in the nursery in Gashua in 2014 and 2015 in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated three times. Percentage mid-provenance and better- provenance heterosis was estimated for seedling growth traits. Molai x Gajiram1 revealed maximum negative mid-provenance (-71.04%) and better- provenance (-77.17%) heterosis for days to emergence and desirable positive better-provenance heterosis (22.62%) for canopy diameter. Also Gajiram1 x Molai showed maximum positive mid-provenance heterosis (125.11%) for number of primary branches while Kukareta x Molai had maximum positive better-provenance heterosis (88.27%) for the trait. Damaturu x Molai exhibited highest positive heterosis over mid-provenance (65.15%) and better-provenance (47.30%) for bark thickness. No significant positive heterosis was observed for seedling height, stem height at first branching and stem diameter at both levels. The hybrids Gajiram1 x Molai, Kukareta x Molai and Damaturu x Molai could be used for future breeding program. Key Words: Gum arabic; Acacia senegal; Provenance; Heterosis; Seedling growth trait. 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