Inheritance of seed protein content and other agronomic characters in long bean (Vigna sesquipedalis Fruw.)

Summary Seven varieties of long bean, which included three local and four exotic, were crossed in a complete diallel. This was an attempt to study the inheritance of crude protein content, protein yield, flowering date, pod yield and yield components.Both additive and non-additive gene effects were responsible for the genetic variation in the diallel population. However, dominance variance was more important than additive variance in crude protein content, number of pods per plant and number of seeds per pod. For seed weight and pod length, additive variance was more important.The crude protein content, protein yield and number of pods per plant appeared to be controlled by overdominance effects. Partial dominance seemed to be the case for flowering date, pod length and seed weight; complete to overdominance for pod yield. High protein appeared to be associated with recessive genes whereas there was a general trend of high yielding parents carrying more dominant genes.     

Genetic analysis of agronomic characters in chickpea. II. Estimates of genetic variances from line × tester mating designs

Summary Thirty line x tester experiments involving diverse chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) germplasm were conducted over 8 years and three locations to determine the nature of the genetic variance for grain yield and related characters, and the effects of generation and environment on these genetic parameters. Days-to-flowering, 100-seed mass, and seeds per pod were predominantly under the control of additive genetic variance, while both additive and non-additive genetic components of variance were important for days-to-maturity, plant height, primary and secondary branches, pods per plant, and seed yield. The F₁ and F₂ generations were found equally useful in estimating the genetic variances for different characters because the generation did not significantly interact with genetic parameters in the majority of cases. Sites or seasons, on the other hand, showed significant interaction with genetic components of variances; additive variance showed a larger interaction with environments than non-additive variance. This indicated the importance of more than one site and/ or season for unbiased estimation of the genetic components of variance. The results were compared with previous findings from diallel analyses.ICRISAT Journal Article No. 1200     

Combining ability analysis over F1-F5 generations in diallel crosses of bread wheat

Summary Combining ability studies for grain yield and its primary component traits in diallel crosses involving seven diverse wheat cultivars of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) over generations F₁-F₅ are reported. The general and specific combining ability variances were significant in all generations for all the traits except specific combining ability variance for number of spikes per plant in the F₅. The ratio of general to specific combining ability variances was significant for all the traits except grain yield in all the generations. This indicated an equal role of additive and non-additive gene effects in the inheritance of grain yield, and the predominance of the former for its component traits. The presence of significant specific combining ability variances in even the advanced generations may be the result of an additive x additive type of epistasis or evolutionary divergence among progenies in the same parental array. The relative breeding values of the parental varieties, as indicated by their general combining ability effects, did not vary much over the generations. The cheap and reliable procedure observed for making the choice of parents, selecting hybrids and predicting advanced generation (F₅) bulk hybrid performance was the determination of breeding values of the parents on the relative performance of their F₂ progeny bulks.     

Multivariate statistical analysis of grain yield and agronomic characters in Durum wheat

Summary Correlation, stepwise multiple regression and factor analyses were conducted on grain yield and a number of agronomic characters in the parental, F ₁ and F ₂ families originating from a 10 X 10 diallel cross in durum wheat. For the F ₁ diallel, the correlation analysis indicated that the number of spikes and kernels per plant and 1,000 kernel weight had the highest correlations with grain yield; for the F ₂ diallel, the number of spikes and kernels per meter, 1000 kernel weight and plant height showed most striking correlations with same.Stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that, for the F ₁ diallel, number of kernels per plant, 1000 kernel weight and days to maturity were the most potent predictor variables for grain yield, accounting for 78% of its variability. For the F ₂ diallel, the number of kernels and number of spikes per meter, 1000 kernel weight and number of kernels per spike were the most potent predictors for grain yield, accounting for 91 % of its variability. Five common factors were extracted which explained 98.8% and 98.1% of the total variance in the F ₁ and F ₂ diallel, respectively. However, the importance of each of the five factors and the characters which loaded highly on each of them differed from generation to generation.Contribution No. 323 from Plant Science Department, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2, Canada.     

Genetic control of grain yield and its related traits in bread wheat

Summary Genetic control of tiller number, grain number, grain weight, harvest index and grain yield in six generations, along with the biparentals, F₃s, F₂xparental progeny, and F₂xF₁ progeny were investigated in an intervarietal cross of bread wheat involving two highly competitive varieties, WL711 and HD 2009. The performance of F₁, B₁, B₂, F₂, × p₁, F₂ × P₂ and F₂ × F₁ progeny was midway between the parents involved with respect to all the evaluated characters. The biparental progeny excelled the mean performance of their corresponding F₂ and F₃ progeny in tiller number, seed weight and grain yield. The estimates of variance components obtained from the two models deployed were almost similar. Considerable additive genetic variance was observed for grains per spike, seed weight and grain yield while dominance variance was more pronounced for harvest index. The additive-dominance model was adequate for grains per spike and harvest index. Epistatic effects of additive × additive and additive × dominance type for tiller number and grain yield, and of additive × dominance type for seed weight were observed. The digenic epistatic model was inadequate for explaining the nature of gene action for tiller number, seed weight and grain yield. The studies indicated that non-allelic interactions should not be ignored in formulating wheat breeding programmes and that a biparental approach could be adopted as an extremely useful tool for enhancing genetic variability and the creation of transgressive segregants. The usefulness of breeding methodologies utilising a biparental approach is discussed.     

RFLP mapping of QTLs for yield and related characters in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Quantitative triat loci (QTLs) for yield and related traits in rice were mapped based on RFLP maps from two indica/indica F₂ populations, Tesanai 2/CB and Waiyin 2/CB. In Tesanai 2/CB, 14 intervals carrying QTLs for eight traits were detected, including 3 for grain weight per plant (GWT), 2 for number of panicles per plant (NP), 2 for number of grains per panicle (NG), 1 for total number of spikelets per panicle (TNS), 1 for spikelet fertility (SF), 3 for 1000-grain weight (TGWT), 1 for spikelet density (SD), and 1 for number of first branches per main panicle. The 3 QTLs for GWT were located on chromosomes 1, 2, and 4, with 1 in each chromosome. The additive effect of the single locus ranged from 2.0 g to 9.1 g. A major gene (np4) for NP was detected on chromosome 4 within the interval of RG143–RG214, about 4cM for RG143, and this locus explained 26.1% of the observed phenotypic variance for NP. The paternal allele of this locus was responsible for reduced panicles per plant (3 panicles per plant). In another population, Waiyin 2/CB, 12 intervals containing QTLs for six of the above-mentioned traits were detected, including 3 for GWT, 2 for each of NP, TNS, TGWT and SD, 1 for SF. Three QTLs for GWT were located on chromosome 1, 4, and 5, respectively. The additive effect of the single locus for GWT ranged from 6.7 g to 8.8 g, while the dominance effect was 1.7–11.5 g. QTL mapping in two populations with a common male parent is compared and discussed.     

Epistasis in maize (Zea mays L.)

Summary Three flint and three dent maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines, their possible F₁ crosses, F₂ and backcross progenies, and all possible three-way crosses were evaluated in a three-year experiment for yield, ear moisture, and plant height. The purpose was to estimate genetic parameters in European breeding materials from (i) generation means analysis, (ii) diallel analysis of generation means, and (iii) analysis of F₁ and three-way cross hybrids. Method (i) was based on the F-metric model and methods (ii) and (iii) on the Eberhart-Gardner (1966) genetic model; both models extended for heterotic maternal effects.Differences among generation means for yield and plant height were mainly attributable to dominance effects. Epistatic effects were significantly different from zero in a few crosses and considerably reduced heterosis in both traits. Additive x additive and domiance x dominance effects for yield were consistently positive and negative, respectively. Significant maternal effects were established to the advantage of generations with a heterozygous seed parent. In the diallel analysis, mean squares for dominance effects were greater than for additive effects for yield and plant height but smaller for ear moisture. Though significant for yield and plant height, epistatic variation was small compared to additive and dominance variation. Estimates of additive x additive epistasis for yield were significantly negative in 11 of 15 crosses, suggesting that advantageous gene combinations in the lines had been disrupted by recombination in the segregating generations. The analysis of hybrids supported the above findings regarding the analysis of variance. However, the estimates of additive x additive epistasis for yield were considerably smaller and only minimally correlated with those from the diallel analysis. Use of noninbred materials as opposed to materials with different levels of inbreeding is considered the main reason for the discrepancies in the results.     

Prediction of F3 row performance from F2 individual plant data in oats

Summary Parameters estimated from a Gardner-Eberhart analysis of the F₂ generation of a six-parent diallel in oats (Avena sativa L.) were used to compare methods for predicting the performance of F₃ row plots. The prediction methods were: (1) individual F₂ plant performance (F2I), (2) parent average plus F₂ plot deviations (PF2), (3) parent average plus weighted F₂ plot deviations (PF2P), (4) best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) of parent average plus F₂ plot deviations (BPF2), and (5) BLUP plus weighted F₂ deviations (BF2). The F₂ single-plant traits used for prediction were biological yield to predict F₃ biological yield, whole plant and primary tiller grain yield for prediction of F₃ grain yield, and whole plant and primary tiller harvest index (HI) to predict F₃ HI. Prediction methods were evaluated by correlations between predicted and observed F₃ performance. Prediction methods and traits for which correlations were greater than for F2I included: BF2 for biological yield, PF2, PF2P and BF2 for whole plant grain yield, PF2, BPF2, and BF2 for primary tiller grain yield. None had a correlation significantly greater than F2I for either measure of HI, where heritability was large. PF2 is the recommended method for traits with low heritability because of its simplicity and because it had the largest or nearly the largest correlation for each of the yield traits. F2I is the recommended method for traits with larger heritability.Contribution No. 8821 of the U.S. Regional Pasture Research LaboratoryDeceased     

Triple test cross analysis in F2 populations of four barley crosses

Summary The triple test cross analysis of Jinks and Perkins (1970) was used to study different components of genetic variation in four barley F₂ populations, C 164x IB 226, C 164xJyoti, IB 226xP 113 and DL 3xP 113, for final plant height, spike length, 100-kernel weight, grain yield per plant and harvest index. The overall epistasis (i type) was, in general, a minor component but the j & 1 type epistasis was an important element for all five characters in cross 3 (IB 226xP 113). Both the additive (D) and dominance (H) components were highly significant for all the five characters in all four crosses. The dominance was directional in all cases except for 100-grain weight in crosses 1 (C 164xIB 226), 2 (C 164xJyoti) and 4(DL 3xP 113).     

Variation in monoculture and in mixture for grain yield and other characters in spring barley

Fourteen north-west European spring barley cultivars were grown alone or in binary mixtures sampled according to a partial diallel scheme. On the basis of the association between cultivars in mixture and monoculture, three groups of characters were distinguished. Group A characters, plant height, ear weight/tiller, grain yield/tiller, number of grains/tiller and 1000-grain weight, showed strong positive associations between performance in monoculture and mixture. Group B characters, number of tillers/plant and harvest index showed incomplete positive associations, while for group C characters, dry matter/plant, ear weight/plant, grain yield/plant and number of grains/plant, associations were weak or non-existent. Compound characters in group C showed less genetic variation in monoculture and lower general competitive effects in mixture than component characters in groups A or B. These results clearly indicate that while selection for grain yield and other characters on a per plant basis (group C characters) is confounded by intergenotypic competition, characters such as the yield components number of grains/tiller and 1000-grain weight (group A characters) are hardly affected in this range of cultivars. Selection for opposing group A characters may start in the F₂ generation, while any selection for group B and C characters should be delayed until later generations. The merits of indirect selection for yield using visual assessment of yield components are discussed. Separate analyses obtained by the inclusion of spring wheat cv. Timmo in monoculture and in the set of mixtures indicated that the use of spring wheat plants to minimise intergenotypic competition ranges from superfluous (group A characters) to useless (group C characters). A large degree of mixture advantage and the lack of complementary dominance and suppression between competitor and associate was attributed to the relatively low density of plants in the experiment which, though suitable for single plant selection, is not typical of normal seed rates for cropping.     

Linked epistasis for six quantitative traits in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss)

Summary Gene effects, and interactions, and associations between days-to-flower initiation and maturity, number of secondary branches and siliquae per plant, and 1,000-seed weight and yield per plant were studied in a cross of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss) using the parents and F₁, F₂, F₃, B₁, B₂, B₁₁, B₁₂, B₂₁, B₂₂, B_1S, B_2S, B₁F₁, B₂F₁, B_1bip, B_2bip, F₂P₁, F₂F₁, and F_2bip generations. A linked digenic model was adequate for all characters studied. According to this model, the main effects, additive and interactions between linked pairs of genes, were present in varying proportions for days-to-flower initiation and maturity and number of siliquae per plant. The contribution of linked epistatic effects, however, was much greater than that of additive effects. Dominance effects contributed significantly to the inheritance of days-to-flower initiation. Duplicate epistasis was observed for all traits except 1,000-seed weight where epistasis was of the complementary type. A complete association among the genes of similar effect (increasing or decreasing) was observed for number of secondary branches and siliquae, and yield per plant. Coupling phase linkage was observed for days-to-flower initiation whereas repulsion phase linkage was observed for daysto-maturity and 1,000-seed weight.     

In vitro selection and field responses of somaclonal variant plants of rice cv PR113 for drought tolerance

Drought is the major environmental stress that limits rice productivity worldwide. In vitro somaclonal variation using different selection agents has been used for crop improvement. Here, rice plants of cv PR113 were selected in vitro on 30, 50 and 70 g L^-1 polyethylene glycol 6,000 (PEG). Callus growth, proliferation, calli volume (first and second culture) and plantlet regeneration (third culture) were found to be decreased upto a certain level to acquire tolerance to PEG-induced drought. From the field data, 30 g L^-1 PEG lines showed higher vegetative growth (plant height, tiller number, leaf number, shoot weight and root growth) as compared with 50 g L^-1 PEG selected somaclone lines under limited irrigation. The yield parameters-panicle length, panicle weight, grains per panicle, 1,000-grain weight, grain yield per plant, harvest index and grain straw ratio were also higher in 30 g L^-1 PEG lines as compared with 50 g L^-1 PEG lines. The results, therefore indicate that 30 g L^-1 PEG selected somaclone lines were more suited than 50 g L^-1 PEG selected somaclone lines under stress as compared with WT. The finding suggests that rice cv PR113 somaclones generated on PEG are found to be drought tolerant under field condition with better yield.     

Mapping and validation of quantitative trait loci for spikelets per panicle and 1,000-grain weight in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

This study identified four and five quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for 1,000-grain weight (TGW) and spikelets per panicle (SPP), respectively, using rice recombinant inbred lines. QTLs for the two traits (SPP3a and TGW3a, TGW3b and SPP3b) were simultaneously identified in the two intervals between RM3400 and RM3646 and RM3436 and RM5995 on chromosome 3. To validate QTLs in the interval between RM3436 and RM5995, a BC₃F₂ population was obtained, in which TGW3b and SPP3b were simultaneously mapped to a 2.6-cM interval between RM15885 and W3D16. TGW3b explained 50.4% of the phenotypic variance with an additive effect of 1.81 g. SPP3b explained 29.1% of the phenotypic variance with an additive effect of 11.89 spikelets. The interval had no effect on grain yield because it increased SPP but decreased TGW and vice versa. Grain shape was strongly associated with TGW and was used for QTL analysis in the BC₃F₂ population. Grain length, grain width, and grain thickness were also largely controlled by TGW3b. At present, it is not clear whether one pleiotropic QTL or two linked QTLs were located in the interval. However, the conclusion could be made ultimately by isolation of TGW3b. The strategy for TGW3b isolation is discussed.     

A 9 × 9 diallel analysis in peanuts (A. hypogaea L.): Flowering time,tops' weight,pod yield per plant and pod weight

Summary Four quantitative traits were studied by analysing F₂ data derived from a 9 × 9 diallel cross utilizing widely divergent, inbred, erect cultivars of peanuts, A. hypogaea. Bidirectional dominance was found in the traits total pod yield per plant and number of days from planting to first flower; in pod size, the alleles giving small pods were consistently dominant and for high tops' weight, dominance and overdominance were found. The high heritability of pod yield/plant (0.79) indicates that breeding for higher yield/plant can succeed if large F₂ populations are grown and rigorous visual selection combined with progeny testing are employed. The genetic correlations of pod yield/plant with other traits were low. Breeding for plants with large (jumbo) pods can be aided by the fact that they are homozygous recessive, or nearly so. Simultaneous breeding for high yields and large pods is possible: there was a positive (but low) genetic correlation between the two (0.16). A modification by which less biased estimates of the number of effective factors can be obtained and a possible relationship between bidirectional dominance and genic interaction were proposed.     

Partial Dominance,Overdominance and Epistasis as the Genetic Basis of Heterosis in Upland Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Determination of genetic basis of heterosis may promote hybrid production in Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). This study was designed to explore the genetic mechanism of heterosis for yield and yield components in F_{2: 3} and F_{2: 4} populations derived from a hybrid ‘Xinza No. 1’. Replicated yield field trials of the progenies were conducted in 2008 and 2009. Phenotypic data analyses indicated overdominance in F₁ for yield and yield components. Additive and dominance effects at single-locus level and digenic epistatic interactions at two-locus level were analyzed by 421 marker loci spanning 3814 cM of the genome. A total of 38 and 49 QTLs controlling yield and yield components were identified in F_{2: 3} and F_{2: 4} populations, respectively. Analyses of these QTLs indicated that the effects of partial dominance and overdominance contributed to heterosis in Upland cotton simultaneously. Most of the QTLs showed partial dominance whereas 13 QTLs showing overdominance in F_2:3 population, and 19 QTLs showed overdominance in F_2:4. Among them, 21 QTLs were common in both F_{2: 3} and F_{2: 4} populations. A large number of two-locus interactions for yield and yield components were detected in both generations. AA (additive × additive) epistasis accounted for majority portion of epistatic effects. Thirty three complementary two-locus homozygotes (11/22 and 22/11) were the best genotypes for AA interactions in terms of bolls per plant. Genotypes of double homozygotes, 11/22, 22/11 and 22/22, performed best for AD/DA interactions, while genotype of 11/12 performed best for DD interactions. These results indicated that (1) partial dominance and overdominance effects at single-locus level and (2) epistasis at two-locus level elucidated the genetic basis of heterosis in Upland cotton.     

Genetic analysis of agronomic characters in chickpea

Summary Twenty-eight diallel trials over 8 years and two locations were analysed to estimate genetic variances for agronomic characters of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). The data were analysed according to Method 4 and Model I of Griffing (1956). Days to flowering, plant height, and seed size were found to be predominantly under additive inheritance and were highly predictable. Both additive and non-additive genetic components were important for seed yield, number of branches, pods per plant, and seeds per pod. Although both general combining ability (gca) and specific combining ability (sca) varied significantly with generation, components of gca mean squares were invariably much larger than gca x generation interaction components, indicating that either the F₁ or the F₂ generation can be used to estimate the gca components effectively. Combined diallel analysis of F₂s over locations revealed the importance of combining ability x location interactions and emphasized the need for testing over more than one location for the precise estimation of combining ability. The implications of these findings and those reported earlier in the literature on the breeding strategies/methods for the genetic improvement of agronomic characters in chickpea are discussed.ICRISAT journal article no. 1199     

Rice (<i>Oryza sativa</i> L.) Breeding among Hassawi Landrace and Egyptian Genotypes for Stem Borer (<i>Chilo agamemnon</i> Bles.) Resistance and Related Quantitative Traits

Rice stem borer (Chilo agamemnon Bles.) is a primary insect pest of rice and is a major limiting factor to rice production. Breeding for insect-resistant crop varieties has been an economic way of integrated pest management (IPM) as it offers a viable and ecologically acceptable approach. This study was aimed to evaluate rice genotypes for their resistance against rice stem borer. Seven parental genotypes with twenty one F1 crosses were evaluated for genotypic variation in field experiments. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences for the studied traits in almost all crosses and parents. In addition, the mean squares of parents versus their crosses were signifi- cant for stem borer resistance and other associated traits. Moreover, both general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) variances were highly significant for all characters studied in the F1 generation. Based on GCA, 4 genotypes (Sakha101, Gz6903-3-4-2-1, Gz9577-4-1-1 and Hassawi) exhibited highly significant negative values for stem borer resistance (–0.53, –1.06, –0.18 and –0.49, respectively) indicating they are the best combiners for stem borer resistance. Based on SCA analysis, nine cross combinations showed highly significant negative effects for stem borer resistance. Similarly, the cross Giza178 Hassawi was the best combination with significantly highest value for early maturity. In addition, seven crosses showed highly significant negative SCA for plant height trait. On the other hand, for panicle length, number of primary branches/panicle, panicle weight and 1000-grain weight, seven, four, eight and six crosses showed highly significant positive SCA, respectively. The result further revealed that the non-additive dominance genetic variance was higher than the additive variance for all evaluated traits indicating that non-additive genetic variances have a role in their inheritance. The broad-sense heritability estimates were high for all the studied traits. The stem borer resistance was significantly correlated with panicle weight and 1000-grain weight, which also showed a highly significant correlation with grain yield/plant. Thus these traits can be effectively employed in a breeding program to confer resistance against stem borer infestation in rice. It was further supported by biplot analysis, which clustered these potentially important traits into two quadrants showing their importance in any future breeding program to control stem borer infestation. This study has contributed valuable information for evaluation of genetic diversity in the local rice germplasm and its utilization in futuristic rice genetic improvement programs.     

Association of two measures of vegetative growth rate with other traits in inter and intraspecific matings of oats

Summary F₂-derived oat lines from inter (Avena sativa L. x A. sterilis L.) and intraspecific (among A. sativa cultivars) matings were evaluated in the F₃, F₄, and F₅ generations for heading date, grain and straw yields, biomass, vegetative dry weight at anthesis, vegetative growth rates until anthesis (GRA) and until maturity (GRM), and harvest index. The associations of GRA and GRM with harvest index ranged from zero to slightly negative. The positive correlations of GRA and GRM with grain yield were stronger in inter than in intraspecific matings. Grain yield was positively associated with harvest index in both inter and intraspecific matings. The results suggest the use of A. sterilis x A. sativa matings to improve vegetative growth rate, grain yield, and, to a certain extent, harvest index simultaneously without affecting the growth duration of the crop.Journal Paper No. J 12130 of the Iowa Agric. and Home Econ. Exp. Stn., Ames, IA 50011, USA. Project No. 2447. Part of a study conducted by the senior author while he was a visiting scientist at Iowa State University     

Genetics of transgressive segregation for yield and yield components in wheat

Three crosses of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em Thell) involving six cultivars (WC29, WH291, SGP 14, RAJ. 1972, WH377 and HD 2329) were selected on the basis of combining ability analysis to study genetics of transgressive segregation for tillers/plant, grains/spike, 1000 grain weight and grain yield/plant using various mating designs. Diallel analysis indicated that both additive and non- additive components were significant for all the characters. On the basis of general combining ability and specific combining ability effects, the parents WH 291 and WH 377 were found to be good general combiners for tillers/ plant, 1000 grain weight and grain yield/plant. For grains/spike SGP 14 was found to be a good general combiner. The cross WH 377 × HD 2329 for tillers/plant, SGP 14 × Raj. 1972 for grains/spike and grain yield/plant and WC 29 × WH 291 for 1000 grain weight were found to be good cross combinations. Generation mean analysis indicated that the additive-dominance model was inadequate for all the characters in all the crosses except for 1000 grain weight in WC29 × WH291. Additive component was more pronounced than non-additive components for all the characters in all the crosses except for tillers/ plant in WH 377 × HD 2329. Predictions for transgressive segregants from F₃ was more accurate than that from generation mean analysis. However, prediction from both the sources were equally efficient if additive-dominance model was adequate. In general, observed frequencies of transgressive segregants were more in F₂ and BIPi than F₄ but the majority of them were discarded on progeny testing. Biparental mating had an impact in increasing the frequencies of transgressive segregants for different characters in all the crosses. The crosses, WH 377 × HD 2329 for grain yield/ plant, SGP 14 × Raj. 1972 for tillers/plant and WC 29 × WH 291 for grains/spike and 1000 grain weight were found to be potential crosses for transgressive segregants. A comparison of combining ability of parents and crosses, and observed and predicted frequencies of transgressive segregants indicated that the potential crosses for transgressive segregants were those that had high sea effects and involved high and low general combiners. The crosses involving low general combiners irrespective of their sea effects showed poor performance with respect to transgressive segregation.     

Genetics of grain amaranths

Summary Two landrace populations of Amaranthus cruentus L. were crossed to generate F₂ populations for quantitative genetic analyses of variation. Evidence for significant inbreeding depression in comparisons of F₁ and F₂generation means suggested some role of nonadditive gene action for days to first anthesis, leaf length, leaf width, petiole length, plant height, panicle length, and panicle weight. A pooled F₂ population was subjected to bidirectional mass selection for time of first anthesis (two cycles) and leaf length (one cycle). Responses to selection were asymmetrical and the second cycle response for anthesis time was smaller than for the first cycle. Overall, selection gains were significant and gave estimates of heritability in the range of 0.35 to 0.66 for anthesis time and 0.08 to 0.19 for leaf length. This suggested a large additive term in the total genetic variance especially for anthesis time where early and late flowering selection lines diverged by 20.5 days.Correlations between the selected traits (anthesis time, leaf length) and single plant yield or yield components were also studied to evaluate correlated responses to selection. Selection for optimal flowering time in amaranth cultivation areas is very likely to result in rapid yield improvement.