INHERITANCE AND ASSOCIATION OF SEEDS PER HEAD, YIELD PER HEAD, BLOTCH, AND FLOWER COLOR IN SAFFLOWER SPECIES

Abstract

Mode of inheritance and association of seeds per head, yield per head, blotch and flower color were studied in two crosses of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.). Data were taken on individual plants. Mather and Jinks’ three-parameter model indicated that gene action for seeds per head and yield per head showed additive and dominance gene action. The broad-sense heritability for seeds per head and yield per head ranged from 50.75 to 56.02%, and 50 to 57.14%, respectively. Maternal effects were absent for seeds per head and yield per head. In all F2, continuous distributions were observed, suggesting multiple factor inheritance for seeds per head and yield per head. Two loci may be involved in the inheritance of blotch (a new trait) and flower color. Flower color and blotch were inherited independently. Also, flower color and striped hull were inherited independently. A 18 ± 5.6 map distance was found between anthocyanin pigmentation and blotch. Seeds per head and yield per head were not associated with anthocyanin pigmentation, striped hull, flower color and blotch. A significant-positive correlation coefficient ranging from 0.86 to 0.88 was found between seeds per head and yield per head.