Genetic Variability in Biparental Progenies of Radish (Raphanus sativus L.)

Biparental progenies (BIP's) of inter-varietal cross Mino Early White x Pusa Himani (MEW x PH) of radish were developed in F₂ generation by utilizing North Carolina Design-I suggested by Comstock and Robinson (1948 and 1952). The analysis of variance indicated significant differences among the BIP's and F₃ progenies for different horticultural and quality parameters studied indicating the presence of good quantum of variability between BIP's and F₃ progenies. Biparental progenies when compared with F₃ progenies for their overall mean values revealed that former had greater means for most of the characters except leaf weight, leaf length and nitrate content. The biparental progenies resulted in creation of more genetic variability by breakage of both coupling and repulsion phase linkages that conceal the genetic variability in F₂. The phenotypic variability as revealed by the coefficient of variation (%) was greater in BIP progenies than F₃ progenies. The superior performance of biparental and F₃ generations revealed the breakage of undesirable linkages and plateau effect for bringing further improvement in radish.