Inheritance of qualitative and quantitative traits in interspecific crosses of lentil

Abstract

Inheritance of qualitative and quantitative traits was studied in six inter-sub-specific crosses (Lens culinaris × Lens culinaris ssp. orientalis) of lentil. Leaf pigmentation, leaf pubescence and seed cotyledon color was controlled by single gene while tendril formation and seedling stem pigmentation was controlled by two genes. Wide range of genetic variation was observed for agronomically important quantitative traits in the segregating populations. Transgressive segregants were also observed for various traits. Moderate (52.5%) to high heritability (97.5%) observed for the quantitative traits indicated possible effectiveness of selection for these traits in later generations.