Gene action for grain protein content in durum wheat

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the gene action and combining ability of durum wheat for grain protein content. During the three year period a diallel cross was carried out with five modern parents of durum wheat – ‘Victoria’, ‘Deni’, ‘Superdur’, ‘Progres’ and ‘Predel’. Ten hybrid combinations and the parents were grown in the experimental field of the Field Crops Institute, Chirpan. The experiment was performed by the randomize block method design in three replications. It was found that in the inheritance of grain protein content dominance and overdominance in positive and negative directions were observed. Statistical processing of the results showed that both additive and non-additive genetic effects have influenced on inheritance. Non-additive gene effects (SCA) had a greater role in inheritance. This suggests that an effective selection for this trait could begin in later generations. The combining ability analysis has identified two good general combinators (Predel and Superdur varieties) that could be used as donors to increase the values of the trait protein content in grain. Several crosses showing positive and significant SCA effects have also been identified, suitable for achieving reliable transgressive genotypes.

Keywords

• gene action
• combining ability
• GCA effects
• SCA effects
• grain protein content
• durum wheat