ASSESSING PARENT COMBINING ABILITY AND GENE INTERACTIONS VIA DIALLEL ANALYSIS FOR SCALD RESISTANCE IN BARLEY
Read Abstract
This study employs diallel analysis to assess parent combining ability and gene interactions for scald resistance in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Scald, caused by Rhynchosporium commune, poses a significant threat to barley production worldwide. Understanding the genetic basis of scald resistance is crucial for breeding programs aimed at developing resistant cultivars. The diallel cross design allows for the estimation of general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) effects, elucidating the inheritance patterns and gene interactions underlying scald resistance. The study evaluates multiple barley genotypes for their resistance levels and utilizes statistical methods to analyze the diallel data, providing insights into the relative contributions of different parental lines and their interactions to scald resistance. The findings contribute to the advancement of barley breeding strategies targeting improved scald resistance.