Gene effects of pod yield and its components in two crosses of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Abstract

Groundnut, (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a major source of vegetable oil and protein and also a major source of fodder crop. Genetic systems that control the expression of quantitative traits facilitate the choice of the most efficient breeding and selection procedure. Generation mean analysis is commonly used in studies of inheritance of quantitative traits. Two groundnut genotypes which consist of late leaf spot and rust susceptible genotypes viz., SB-XI and TAG-24 and one resistance genotype Phule Unnati were used in the present study. The cross TAG-24 x Phule Unnati had additive gene action for most of the traits viz., dry pod yield per plant (g), shelling (%), harvest index (%) and haulm yield per plant (g). Hence, early generation selection could be practiced in TAG-24 x Phule Unnati. However due to the presence of epistasis, cross viz., SB-XI x Phule Unnati selection should be postponed to later generations.