Inheritance of traits associated with seed size in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Inheritance of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) seed traits particularly seed weight, seed length, seed width and length:width ratio was explored in this study. Six-generation mean analysis was carried with two groundnut crosses and their reciprocals in 2 years. Groundnut genotypes significantly differing in seed sizes were used as parents. Highly significant reciprocal differences were observed for almost all the traits in F-1, F-2, and BC generations. Additive genetic effects were highly significant and explained majority of the variation in these traits. Results suggest that the seed size traits studied in this study were controlled both by combination of both maternal and nuclear gene effects. All the four seed traits measured were highly correlated suggesting that they could be simultaneously improved. Significance of additive effect in all the four crosses suggests that effective selection for seed size traits could be practiced in early generations. In breeding program for confectionary traits it is essential to include a large-seeded genotype as the female parent to exploit the maternal effects.