Generation mean analysis for grain yield and yield contributing traits in blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper]

Abstract

Generation mean analysis was worked out for two crosses of blackgram viz., TAU-1 × PDKV Black gold and NUL-7 × TBU-43-1. Six parameter model was utilized in this study to identify the gene actions of various grain yield and yield contributing traits. Scaling test revealed that the digenic model (additive-dominance model) was inadequate for most of the traits, confirming the existence of non-allelic interactions for all of the crosses. Duplicate type of epistasis was reported for most of the traits in both the crosses except for pod length in cross TAU-1 × PDKV Black gold and 100 seed weight in cross NUL-7 × TBU-43-1. Magnitude of dominance gene effect was reported to be higher than additive gene effect in most of the traits in both crosses. Hence, it was evident from the study that the bi-parental mating or diallel selective mating followed by selection in advanced generations should be employed for harnessing desirable recombinants. The additive component was found to be significant for the traits viz., plant height, number of clusters per plant, number of pods per cluster, pod length and number of seeds per plant in cross NUL-7 × TBU-43-1. While, additive x additive (i) gene interaction was found significant for only number of seeds per pod in cross and NUL-7 × TBU-43-1. For development of these characters, one should follow the simple selection with pedigree breeding method.