Deciphering the Genetic Inheritance of Tocopherols in Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern and Coss)

Tocopherol is vital for the nutritional value and stability of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern and Coss) oil; nonetheless, the lack of information on genetic control is hampering its improvement. In this study, six populations (P-1, P-2, F-1, F-2, BC1P1, and BC1P2) of RLC3 x NPJ203 were evaluated in a family block design to evaluate the inheritance pattern, gene effects, and various other genetic parameters of tocopherol content (alpha, gamma, and total), using generation mean analysis. The comparison of direct and reciprocal crosses indicated that the tocopherol content was not influenced by maternal inheritance. Negative directional heterosis showed that ATC, GTC, and TTC are governed by recessive genes. Potence ratio and degree of dominance highlighted an over-dominance type of gene interaction for GTC and TTC, whereas ATC was governed by epistatic interactions. Furthermore, the six-parameter model revealed a duplicate gene action for alpha-tocopherol content. Broad and narrow sense heritability coupled with genetic advances were high.

Automated summary

In this study, the inheritance pattern and gene effects of tocopherol content in Indian mustard oil were evaluated using generation mean analysis. The results showed that tocopherol content was not influenced by maternal inheritance and ATC, GTC, and TTC were governed by recessive genes. Furthermore, GTC and TTC showed over-dominance type of gene interaction, while ATC was governed by epistatic interactions.