Somatic embryogenesis in pea (Pisum sativum L and Pisum arvense L): Diallel analysis and genetic control

Six lines of Pisum were tested in vitro for their ability to produce somatic embryos from apices. Significant quantitative variation was observed. Inheritance of the ability to form somatic embryos was studied using a diallel cross among six different lines. About 80% of the observed genotypic variation was due to additive effects. There is a tendency for the favourable genes to be recessive. It appears that there are two genetic systems involved. Analysis of the distribution of F-3 families means from a cross among two extreme lines seems to indicate the presence of a few major genes in the control of somatic embryogenesis of pea.