Major Gene Plus Polygene Inheritance of Vitamin C Content in Non-heading Chinese Cabbage

Abstract

The mixed major gene plus polygene inheritance model was used to investigate the inheritance law of vitamin C in non-heading Chinese cabbage(Brassica campestris ssp. chinensis Makino) in six generations(P1, P2, F1, B1, B2, and F2) derived from Wutacai line(with high vitamin C content) × Erqing line(with low vitamin C content). The results showed that the trait of vitamin C was controlled by one additive major gene plus additive-dominant polygene in the joint analysis of six generations. The result in 2011 showed that the additive effect was 13.15. Heritabilities of major genes in B1, B2, and F2 populations were 54.38%, 38.58%, and 18.69%, respectively, while those of polygenes in the three populations were 24.69%, 36.92%, and 40.7%, respectively. The result in 2013 showed that the additive effect was 6.04. Heritabilities of major genes in B1, B2, and F2 populations were 1.88%, 6.41%, and 45.04%, respectively, while those of polygenes in B1, B2, and F2 populations were 39.67%, 16.57%, and 16.91%, respectively. The results from two years indicated that environmental factors could play roles in inheritance of vitamin C in non-heading Chinese cabbage. Thus, the marker assisted selection method could be used to screen high vitamin C cultivars of non-heading Chinese cabbage. In addition, environmental conditions should also be considered in the breeding process.