Cytoplasmic male sterile and doubled haploid lines with desirable combining ability enhances the concentration of important antioxidant attributes in Brassica oleracea

Abstract

The Brassica vegetable crops are rich source of important antioxidant compounds having anticancer and health promoting properties. Development of F1 hybrids with better nutritional traits is one of the main breeding objectives in different vegetable crops. Our study is the first report of determining heterotic combinations utilizing cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) and doubled haploid (DH) inbred lines for antioxidant compounds in snowball cauliflower. Twenty genetically diverse Ogura CMS lines of cauliflower and six DH male fertile inbred lines were crossed to develop 120 F1 hybrids in line × tester mating design. The resulting 120 test cross progenies along with 26 parents and 4 standard checks were evaluated in 10 × 15 alpha lattice design with three replications during next cropping season. The CMS lines Ogu33-1A, Ogu122-5A and Ogu119-1A were good general combiner and CMS line Ogu118-6A was poor general combiner for majority of traits. Most of the heterotic hybrids were associated with high positive SCA effects. The proportions of σ2A/D and $$\upsigma^{2}_{\text{gca}} /\upsigma^{2}_{\text{sca}}$$ ratios were less than unity in all the cases indicating preponderance of non-additive gene action in the genetic control of all the traits. Highest number of heterotic hybrids with SCA effects in desired positive direction was recorded for ascorbic acid content and phenolic content followed by total carotenoid content. The F1 hybrids with better combining ability and better per se performance could be useful in accumulation of favourable allele for higher concentration of important anti-oxidant compounds.