Detection of Epistasis for Reproductive and Maturity Traits in Maize (Zea mays L.) from Generation Mean Analysis

Author: Krantikumar H. Patil and R.C. Mahajan

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Abstract

The experimental material comprised of six generations of the crosses IC-328883 x IC-541068, IC-328953 x GPM-210, IC-326865 x GPM-470, GPM-470 x GPM-405 and IC-274556 x GPM-210 in maize. The role of gene action and interactions in the inheritance of reproductive and maturity traits in maize was examined through generation’s means analysis. Significant differences among generation means were indicated. Chi square values were significant for all the crosses for all traits according to a joint scaling test except in the cross IC-274556 x GPM-210 for days to 50% tasseling and days to maturity. Six parameters model was applied to accommodate the digenic epistatic interactions. The crosses viz IC-328883 x IC-541068, IC-328953 x GPM-210 and GPM-470 x GPM-405 exhibited positive significant additive x additive type of interaction was observed in the inheritance of the trait days to 50% tasseling. The crosses viz IC-328883 x IC-541068, IC-328953 x GPM-210 exhibited positively significant additive x additive type of interaction was present in the inheritance of days to 50% silking and maturity traits. Duplicate type of epistasis was observed in all the crosses and traits, except GPM-470 x GPM-405 for days to maturity, and IC-274556 x GPM-210 for 50% tasseling and maturity traits exhibited complementary type of epistasis. Complementary and duplicate gene interactions appeared operative in the inheritance of silking and maturity traits. Duplicate gene interactions were seen functioning in controlling 50 % tasseling in most of the crosses. These traits can be selected and utilizing selection purpose for the crop improvement because these traits are fixable due to additive x additive type of gene interaction. These traits were utilized for the selection of elite genotypes/ segregants for the development of variety. While several studies in maize have demonstrated the important role of epistasis plays in trait expression, there are currently no precise genetic models to test and estimate it. Epistasis plays a major role in both the growth and development of plants as well as the inheritance of quantitative traits, as demonstrated by recent studies using molecular markers. Therefore, it would make more sense to look for epistasis and maximize its application in the creation of promising cultivars for target environments than to attribute it to residual variance after dominance and additive effects have been taken into consideration.

Keywords

Generation mean analysis, Reproductive, Maturity traits, Gene action, Maize

Conclusion

Duplicate type of epistasis was observed in all the crosses and traits, except GPM-470 x GPM-405 for days to maturity, and IC-274556 x GPM-210 for 50% tasseling and maturity traits exhibited complementary type of epistasis. Especially duplicate type of epistasis observed in days to 50% silking trait inheritance. Complementary and duplicate gene interactions appeared operative in the inheritance of silking and maturity traits. Duplicate gene interactions were seen functioning in controlling 50 % tasseling in most of the crosses.

References

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How to cite this article

Krantikumar H. Patil and R.C. Mahajan (2023). Detection of Epistasis for Reproductive and Maturity Traits in Maize (Zea mays L.) from Generation Mean Analysis. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(10): 1508-1514.