Genetics of late leaf spot disease resistance and pod productivity per se traits in two interspecific crosses of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Abstract

To study the genetic basis of late leaf spot (LLS) disease, pod yield and yield attributing characters in groundnut crosses GKVK 17 × ICGV 86590 and GPBD 4 × TMV 2 was developed using contrasting parents for LLS disease and yield attributing traits. The material for present investigation consisted of five generations P1, P2, F1, F2 and F3 of two crosses. Observations were recorded on growth parameters and LLS disease scores of P1, P2, F1, F2 and F3 progenies at 60th, 75th, 90th and 115th DAS. Test of segregation of F2 individuals for LLS disease resistance showed significant difference when tested for Mendelian ratios, indicated that LLS disease is governed by interaction of genes. In all the vegetative and reproductive characters, additive, dominance and one or more of the epistatic effects determined the expression. Therefore, individual plant selection could be appropriate for improvement of yield per se traits and LLS disease. There are 76 superior segregates in GKVK 17 × ICGV 86590 and 65 superior segregates in GPBD 4 × TMV 2 with lower LLS disease score coupled with higher pod yield would be selected