Scaling and Joint Scaling tests for Quantitative Characters in Greengram (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek.)

Abstract

In the present study, generation mean analysis and chi-square test were undertaken to estimate the nature and magnitude of gene action for yield and its component traits in four crosses of Greengram. Scaling and joint scaling test revealed the presence of one or more kinds of epistatic effects for almost all the traits except for pod length in MGG 347 X KM 11-564, protein content in WGG 42 X RM 12-13, days to maturity in LGG 543 X KM 11-564 and number of primary branches per plant in MGG 347 X RM 12-13. For remaining traits, significance of either all or the three or any of the individual scaling tests A, B or C and significant Chi-square values confirming the involvement of digenic interaction in inheritance. The non-additive gene effects were more pronounced than additive ones for most of the traits in this study. The selection for the traits controlled by predominant additive component is recommended in early segregating generation while in majority traits selection should be deferred to later generations.