Diallel Analysis in Taramira (Eruca sativa)

Abstract

Eight genetically diverse open pollinated populations of taramira [Eruca sativaMill]were crossed in a diallel
mating design. The resulting 28 F1 along with parents were evaluated in RBD with 3 replications during two
consecutive years named season I and II. Varieties (vi) mean squares were significant in both the seasons for
days to flowering, plant height, 1000-seed weight and oil content (%). Heterosis (hii) mean square was
significant for all the characters in the season I and for 6 characters in season II. Average mean squares
were significant only for the characters plant height, siliqua length, seeds per siliqua and 1000-seed weight in
both the seasons whereas, for rest of the characters it was non- significant in either one or both the seasons.
Varietal heterosis (hi) mean square was significant for plant height, seeds per siliqua, 1000-seed weight and
oil content in both the seasons. Specific heterosis (sii) mean squares were also significant for six characters
in the season I and for 3 characters in season II. Specific heterosis (sii) component accounted for more than
50 % to over all heterosis (hii) sum of squares. This indicates presence of additive, dominance and epistatic
components in the genetic control of the characters in the present investigation. Among the parents (varieties)
RTM-314 in the season I and RTM 1112 in season II, while RTM-885 and T-27 in both the seasons were found
superior based on vi effects and per se performance for seed yield per plant. Other parents considering on the
basis of (hi) values were RTM-910, RTM-917 in the season I, while RTM-910, RTM-969 and RTM-314 in
season II. Thus these parents may be used in hybridization programme to improve seed yield.