Analysis of diallel cross for some physical-quality traits in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

• Published in: Euphytica Vol. 160; no. 1; pp. 49 - 57
• Main Authors: Hariprasanna, K, Lal, Chuni, Radhakrishnan, T, Gor, H. K, Chikani, B. M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Dordrecht : Springer Netherlands 01-03-2008; Springer Netherlands; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: additive gene effects; agronomic traits; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Arachis hypogaea; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biotechnology; crossing; diallel analysis; dimensions; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; general combining ability; Genes; Genetic diversity; Genetics and breeding of economic plants; Genotype & phenotype; Genotypes; Heterosis. Floral biology applications: apomixy, male sterility, incompatibility, varia; Hybrids; Legumes; Life Sciences; Peanuts; plant breeding; Plant breeding: fundamental aspects and methodology; Plant Genetics and Genomics; Plant Pathology; Plant Physiology; Plant Sciences; seeds; Studies; weight; Combining ability; Quality traits; Diallel analysis; Quality criterion; Arachis hypogaea; Physical properties; Leguminosae; Dicotyledones; Angiospermae; Genetic improvement; Spermatophyta; Oil plant (vegetal); Groundnut; Diallel analysis, Quality traits
• ISSN: 0014-2336; 1573-5060
• DOI: 10.1007/s10681-007-9553-9

The combining abilities for physical-quality traits in peanut were examined to understand the type of gene action governing these traits, and to identify peanut genotypes suitable for use as parents in breeding for quality improvement. The F₁ hybrids including reciprocals from a six-parent diallel cross along with the parents were evaluated in a randomised complete block design. Data were recorded on five quality traits in peanut viz., shelling outturn, 100-pod weight, 100-seed weight, Count and proportion of sound mature seeds. Substantial genetic variability was observed among the hybrids for the traits studied. Diallel analysis indicated that expression of majority of the quality traits is regulated predominantly by additive gene action suggesting possibility of early-generation selection, while non-additive gene action also plays an equally important role in the control of seed size. Significant reciprocal effect for all the traits denoted role of maternal parent in the expression of quality traits and importance of parental selection in quality breeding. Genotypes ICGV 86564 and TPG 41 were good combiners for seed size, while J 11 was a good combiner for improvement of shelling outturn and proportion of mature seeds. Association between general combining ability (GCA) effects and mean performance suggested that the performance per se of the genotype should be a good indicator of its ability to transmit the desirable quality attributes to its progenies. Though performance of crosses was found to be independent of parental GCA status, it is evident that at least one of the parents used in hybridisation should have large pods and seeds for obtaining better segregants.