Performance of Heterozygotes in Presence of Reciprocal and Maternal Effects in Diallel Crosses of Linseed

An analysis of combining ability for diallel crosses including reciprocals was done for ten genetically diverse parents for seven yield characters in linseed. The objective of the study was to determine the presence of maternal and reciprocal effects if any, in this material using procedures of Griffing (1956) and Hayman (1954).

The comparison of mean values between parents, F¹ hybrids and their reciprocals has indicated considerable variation for all the characters with marked differences in the means of corresponding reciprocals. Significant general combining ability, specific combining ability and reciprocal effects are obtained for all the characters. The characters most susceptible to maternal effects and reciprocal differences are seeds per five capsules, fruit-bearing branches, height and capsules per plant.

Amongst the parents, Afghanistan-2, N.P. 12, A. 17-1-1, N.P. (R.R.) 9 and Mohaba Local are found to have considerable maternal influence for a majority of the characters while Mayurbhang, N.P. (R.R.) 45, N. 55, M. 10 and Wada have maternal effects for one to three characters only.

The maternal effects (estimated using Hayman's procedure of the analysis of diallel table, 1954) were also found significant for flowering time and seeds per five capsules. The observed reciprocal differences cannot be related to any universally recognized mechanism determining reciprocal differences.