Studies on Gene Action in Relation to Yield and Quality Traits in Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.)

The present investigation was carried out at Palampur during rabi 2012 and 2013 to gather information on the nature of gene action by following line × tester mating design involving five lines and three testers. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences among treatments for days to marketable curd maturity from date of transplanting, gross weight per plant, marketable yield per plant, curd size index, curd depth, curd diameter, per cent marketable curds, stalk length, number of leaves per plant, plant height, harvest index, ascorbic acid content and total soluble solids. The magnitude of dominance variance was higher than additive variance for all the traits except curd depth and total soluble solids which indicated the involvement of nonadditive gene action which could be utilized through the development of hybrids in cauliflower. A complete correspondence was noticed between per cent contribution of line × tester interaction (crosses) and non-additive gene action (σ²D), which reaffirm the importance of hybrids in cauliflower.