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

• Published in: Electronic journal of plant breeding Vol. 12; no. 2; pp. 353 - 358
• Main Author: Adithya P Balakrishnan1, N. B. Patel1, M. P. Patel2, P. C. Patel1 and S. D. Solanki1
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Indian Society of Plant Breeders 28.06.2021
• Subjects: ashwagandha; combining ability; gca; gene action; half-diallel; sca
• ISSN: 0975-928X; 0975-928X
• DOI: 10.37992/2021.1202.052

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.