Inheritance of Biomass and Crude Drug Content in Black Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger L.)

Abstract

ABSTRACT The genetics/inheritance of biomass and crude drug content in terms of gene action, genetic variance components, and allied genetic parameters was determined in black/Indian henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) by dialiel analysis of F1 progenies from six parents. The additive (D) and dominance (H1) components were significant for both biomass and crude drug. Epistasis was almost absent and the degree of dominance was in the range of dominance. Dominant alleles caused low and recessive alleles caused high expression of biomass and crude drug. Because of better breeding value, high per-se performance, and desirable position in the Wr-Vr graph, three parents, Aela, Aekla, and Rb were identified as potential genotypes to be exploited for crop improvement by hybridization followed by selection.