Influence of heterosis, genetic association and variance on crude tropane alkaloids in black henbane (Hyoscyamus niger L.)

Abstract

Black henbane (Hyoscyamus niger L.) is a Solanaceous medicinal plant [1, 2] used in both modern and traditional systems of medicine [3]. Its leaves and flowering tops in dried form are used in tincture extracts, they constitute the drug Henbane Herba. Black henbane suffers from low tropane alkaloid content and poor herb yield. With a view, therefore the magnitude of heterosis provide a basis for genetic diversity and a guide to the choice of desirable parents for developing superior F1 hybrids so as to exploit hybrid vigour and/or for building better gene pool to be employed in population improvement. To attain these objectives, a priori knowledge of the nature of gene action and heterosis is of paramount significance in crop improvement. To gather this information in the black henbane a 6x6-diallel analysis of six variable and distinguished selfed lines of Hyoscyamus niger was carried out.