Deciphering the combining ability and gene action for root yield and related traits in ashwagandha [Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal]

  • Adithya P Balakrishnan, N. B. Patel, M. P. Patel, P. C. Patel and S. D. Solanki M. Sc. Agriculture

Abstract

Abstract
Genetics and crop improvement aspects of medicinal plants in Ashwagandha should be taken consideration to meet the accelerating pharmaceutical demands. For a better understanding of the genetic basis of root yield and related traits, a 9 × 9 diallel analysis excluding the reciprocals was carried out using SKA 27, SKA 11, SKA 6, SKA 24, SKA 10, SKA 26, JA 20, JA 134 and AWS 1 as parents. The σ2gca/σ2sca denotes that the majority of the traits considered except plant height and the number of secondary branches were governed by non-additive gene action. The fresh root yield was governed by almost equal proportions of additive and non-additive gene actions with a slight increment in additive proportion. Even though none of the parents was a good general combiner for all the traits considered, SKA 27 and SKA 11 appeared to be the best general combiners for root traits. The crosses JA 20 × AWS 1, SKA 24 × SKA 26 and JA 134 ×AWS 1 were found to be appropriate for the heterosis breeding on the basis of the estimates of SCA effects.

Key words
Ashwagandha, combining ability, GCA, SCA, gene action, half-diallel

 

Published
30-06-2021
How to Cite
Adithya P Balakrishnan, N. B. Patel, M. P. Patel, P. C. Patel and S. D. Solanki
Deciphering the combining ability and gene action for root yield and related traits in ashwagandha [Withania somnifera L. Dunal]. 2021. Electronic Journal of Plant Breeding, 12 2, 353-358. Retrieved from https://ejplantbreeding.org/index.php/EJPB/article/view/3695
Section
Research Article