Generation mean analysis for storage pest bruchid [Callosobruchus maculatus (F.)] resistance traits in blackgram

Bruchid or pulse beetle [Callosobruchus maculatus (F.)] is one of the notorious storage pest that causes loss of quantity and quality of the stored produce. Understanding the genetic behavior and gene action for the bruchid resistance is important in formulating the breeding program to develop resistant cultivars. Hence, generation mean analysis was employed among the cross combinations of MDU1 × TU68, VBN6 × TU68 and VBN8 × TU68 of black gram for traits related to bruchid resistance. The results of the scaling test showed significant values of C & D scales for majority of traits under study. Among traits viz., number of eggs per 50 seeds, mean number of eggs per seed, developmental time, total number of adult emergence, seed damage percentage and seed weight loss percentage were controlled by additive and additive × additive type of gene action among the majority of crosses studied. Hence, selection at later generation is effective to improve these traits. The mean developmental period recorded dominance gene action in VBN6 × TU68 crosses. The total number of adult emergence, seed damage percentage and seed weight loss percentage recorded epistatic model, additive × additive gene action for majority of cross combination. Hence, the selection procedure should be postponed to later generation.