Estimation of genetic parameters and gene action among crosses of blackgram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) for seed yield and its component traits

Abstract

Generation mean analysis was employed among the crosses of MDU1 x TU68, VBN6 x TU68 and VBN8 x TU68 of blackgram to partition the mean into various genetic components viz., additive, dominance and epistasis. Five generations viz., P 1 , P 2 , F 1 , F 2 and F 3 obtained from the above three cross combinations were evaluated. The results of the scaling test showed that number of branches per plant in MDU 1 x TU 68, number of branches per plant and number of pods per cluster in VBN 6 x TU 68 and days to flowering and pod length in VBN 8 x TU 68 recorded additive gene action. Hence, these traits can be improved through pedigree breeding and simple selection. All other traits showed non additive model as one or both scales of C and D had significance. Days to flowering, plant height, number of branches per plant, number of clusters per plant, pod length, number of seeds per pod, 100-seed weight and single plant yield had additive gene action. In the case of epistasis, days to flowering had additive x additive type gene action in MDU 1 x TU68 and VBN6 x TU68 crosses, while the cross VBN8 x TU68 had additive gene action alone. Hence, the selection at later generations is effective to improve these traits. Other traits had differential gene action in each cross. Based on the results, it can be concluded that an appropriate selection programme needs to be devised for each cross based on the gene action.