Major flowering time gene and polygene effects on chickpea seed weight

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0523.2003.00895.x
• Publication Date: 2004-11-15T13:52:28Z
• Authors: R. Hovav; K. C. Upadhyaya; A. Beharav; S. Abbo
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; 03 medical and health sciences

AbstractThe effect of the major flowering gene (PPD) on seed weight of chickpea was studied on 450 F3 families from reciprocal crosses between a small‐seeded, early‐flowering (PPD/PPD) type and a large‐seeded, late flowering (PPD/PPD) cultivar. F4 progeny tests were carried out to determine the PPD genotypes of each individual F3. The effects of the PPD gene and the polygenes on mean seed weight were both significant. Genetic correlations between time to flowering and seed weight were positive and relatively high, suggesting that in certain genetic backgrounds it might be difficult to breed early‐flowering cultivars without compromising seed weight.