Cultivars derived from bi-parental crosses not only have a limited genetic base but also often lack the desired combination of traits, making them genetically vulnerable. Our hypothesis postulates that cultivars derived from populations of multiple parents are more likely to have greater trait means, genetic variability and thus a broader genetic base. To validate this hypothesis, the breeding potential of nine segregating populations derived from crosses with different numbers of parents of unequal population size ranging from 56 to 270 was field-tested for green fruit yield per plant during the rabi-summer season of 2020–21 at the experimental fields of the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru. The breeding potential of these nine segregating F2 populations was evaluated based on the mean values of quantitative traits, absolute range, standardised range (SR), transgressive segregation index (TSI) and the usefulness criterion (UC). Recognising that different statistical parameters can identify different populations with good breeding potential, UC served as an objective measure to identify populations with greater breeding potential. In particular, the segregating population resulting from a three-way cross hybrid (Gouribidanur (GB) × CMS 7B) × CMS 8B) showed increased estimates for trait means (379.24 g), SR (5.22), TSI (30.74) and UC (50906.4) for green fruit yield per plant. This segregating population could be advanced for the isolation of advanced breeding lines. In light of this study, the optimal number of parental lines required to generate potential segregating populations in future chilli breeding programme would be set at three.
K. Bhargavi, RA Mohan, P. Ganesh et al.· Plant Science Today· 0 citations
Watermelon is an economically important fruit crop cultivated worldwide for its nutritional value and commercial importance. However, yield stagnation and limited genetic diversity constrain further productivity gains. To address this constraint, the present study evaluates genetic variability, heritability and the breeding potential of key fruit traits in watermelon using two interspecific F2 populations developed from crosses between a wild Citrullus amarus Schrad. line and two elite Citrullus lanatus [Thunb.] Matsum. & Nakai lines, with the objective of harnessing untapped allelic diversity for crop improvement. Two F2 populations, CL 0732 × CL 0413 (Cross 1 (C1)) and CL 0732 × CL 0695 (Cross 2 (C2)), were evaluated for fruit length, fruit width, rind thickness, total soluble solids (TSS) and fruit weight using standard statistical parameters, including genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation, heritability, genetic advance and transgressive segregation index (TSI). Results revealed substantial genetic variability, with high GCV (18.09–85.71 %) and heritability (70.43–97.67 %) across traits, indicating strong additive gene action. While the C2 population exhibited higher trait means, C1 demonstrated superior breeding potential based on standardised range, TSI and usefulness index, suggesting a greater likelihood of recovering superior recombinant inbred lines. Strong positive correlations between fruit weight and fruit length, fruit width and TSS support indirect selection strategies. The findings underscore the value of wild × cultivated crosses for broadening the genetic base of cultivated watermelon. Overall, this research provides a robust framework for identifying promising breeding populations and implementing targeted selection strategies to improve watermelon yield and quality.
B. M. Prasad, J. Shanthala, M. Pallavi et al.· Plant Science Today· 0 citations
We use cookies to run the site and, with your consent, for analytics and to show ads.
See our Cookie Policy.
