A triple test cross analysis to detect epistatic gene effects in cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.): An updated methodology

The cross-pollinated crop Brassica oleracea var. capitata L. shows good heterotic heterosis at high output; better standing of the plants; early maturity; larger and more homogeneous heads; consistency of head compactness; and disease-tolerance in F1 hybrids. There is very limited information documented on the epistasis of essential cabbage characters. We expand the research in this study to include an upgraded test to cross-design for enrolling and estimating epistasis and other genetic variance components controlling head yield and component traits in cabbage. The data was obtained from 45 families produced by crossing 15 lines with three testers; SC 2008–09, E-1-3-1&2, and their single cross F1, was subjected to triple test cross analysis. The current study results confirmed “j + 1” form of epistasis which is a major component for all traits. The plant spread, non-wrapper leaves, nethead/grossweight, polar/equatorial diameter, marketable head yield per plot, iron content and dry matter lugged both “j + 1” and 'i' type with the predominance of the 'i' type of interaction. Except for head shape index, equatorial diameter, head compactness was more noticeable when observed in dominance component. The degree of dominance is in the partial range, but both the head shape index/compactness and equatorial diameter showed over dominance. For maximum part, superiority was shown in both the directions. Appropriate breeding procedures are proposed to exploit the different forms of gene effects discovered for genetic improvement of head yield and quality traits.