Inheritance Pattern of β-glucan and Protein Contents in Hulless Barley

Genetic analysis of p-glucan and protein content was conducted using an eight parent (ICNBF-582, ICB-102607, ICNBF93-328, SB91925, ICNBF8-613, BBSC congana, Petuina2 & ICNBF93-369) of hulless barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in diallel fashion. Generation mean analysis was carried out on Pi, P2, Fb F2, BCi and BC2 of crosses ICNBF93-369 x ICNBF-582 and SB91925 x ICB-102607, to complement the genetic information from the diallel analysis. Data showed that although additive and dominance variance were important, these traits was more influenced by additive effects. High values of narrow sense heritability for both traits also confirmed it. Generation mean and variance analysis indicated that additive effects were important for protein content in cross SB91925 x ICB-102607 and p-glucan content in both crosses. These analyses indicated over-dominance towards the better parent for protein content in cross ICNBF93-369 x ICNBF-582. To conclude, in order to improve p-glucan and protein content (except protein content in cross ICNBF93-369 x ICNBF-582), direct selection in early generation such as pedigree is possible. © 2010 Friends Science Publishers