Genetic Insights for Nutritional Traits in Elite Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Crosses Using Generation Mean Analysis

The present investigation was carried out to understand the genetics and inheritance of yield components, physical, chemical and nutritional quality traits using generation mean analysis. In the present experiment, the fitting of digenic interaction model indicates the prevalence of interaction effects especially additive x additive [i] type in addition to the main additive and dominance gene effects in case of amylose content. The overall genetic analysis in the three crosses suggests a simple pedigree method to develop desirable lines from only cross viz., RP-Bio-5478-185 x NH-686 would be feasible. The generation mean analysis clearly indicated that apart from the additive and dominance gene effects, significant magnitudes [i] type were observed to play greater role in expression of iron content in rice. In comparison to the estimates of [d], the component due to dominance genetic effects [h] is very high in all the three crosses uniformly. However, due to prevalence of [h] component significantly in all the crosses, inter mating in early segregating generations, would further increase chances to develop iron enriched homozygous lines. Studies for zinc content revealed that among the interactions, [i] and [j] types were found to be significant, whereas the [l] component was totally negligible. From the study, all the three crosses were considered as superior on one or other way and among these three crosses, the last one (RP-Bio-5478-185 x NH-686) was considered as superior one. Simple pedigree method to develop desirable lines for protein and zinc, inter mating in early segregating generations for iron would be more feasible methods to develop nutrient rich desirable lines.