Effect of selection response for yield related traits in early and later generations of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea l.)

Abstract

In the present study, the correlation and presence of genetic inter-actions were studied in the F3 and F5 generations of two groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) crosses. Most of the characters studied were positively skewed and were governed by multiple genes, indicating quantitative inheritance. Vari-ance, skewness, and kurtosis indicate that homozygosity has increased over the generations in both crosses. Cross-B was found to be better than cross-A in providing high-yielding segregants displaying parental diversity. Pod yield per plant and other associated characters, such as plant height, are controlled by complementary action of multiple genes. A shift in correlation coefficients was recorded between the generations, which can be attributed to the difference in gene complementation of linkage blocks and is an indication of the unstable nature of the breeding population. Overall, five lines with superior pod yield were identified, which could be used for varietal development.