Abstract:

The inheritance of 10 traits was studied by diallel cross analysis (Griffing 2) performed within 5 inbred lines using a MINQUE method (additive-dominance- epistatic model). Dominance effect applied for the most of traits, however, additive effect applied for plant height and number of flowers, while additive ×additive epistatic effects applied for plant size and thickness of petals. The broad sense heritabilities of different traits (h2B) ranged from 0.33 to 0.87 with an average of 0.57, and the narrow sense heritabilities (h2N) ranged from 0.10 to 0.53 with an average of 0.33. Correlation analysis showed that significant positive correlation existed between flower size and number of flowers. No significant correlations were observed between flower size and vegetative traits, such as plant height, plant size, number of branches and single leaf area. Significant correlations existed between number of flowers and plant size, plant height, while no significant correlations were observed between number of flowers and number of branches or single leaf area. No significant correlations existed among other traits.

Key words: Pansy, Quantitive traits, Genetic analysis, MINQUE method