Estimation of Genetic Parameters Governing Resistance to Peanut Rosette Disease.

The study was conducted to evaluate the nature and types of gene action governing the inheritance to Groundnut Rosette Disease (GRD) and other yield traits in populations derived from five crosses involving two susceptible exotic materials (M₃ and Valencia C) and three local resistant material Serenut 2 (ICGV-SM 90704), Serenut 6T (ICGV-SM 99566) and Mali (ICGV-SM 96801). The populations were composed of P₁, P₂, F₁, F₂, BC₁₁ and BC₁₂ in six crosses. These populations were evaluated for GRD following the disease severity score of 1-9 (Adopted from NaSARRI-Serere Uganda), number of seed per pod and number of pods per plant. The results for the variation in levels of resistance from selfed and backcrosses families revealed the presence of dominant genes governing the inheritance of GRD. Also the gene effects from the generation mean analysis showed the predominance of additive, dominance effect and the interaction of dominance x dominance with duplicate epistatic effect on the resistance to Groundnut Rosette Disease whereas on pods/plant, both dominant and dominant x dominant gene effects were found and for seeds/plant, additive, dominant, additive x additive and dominance x dominance were seen. Broad sense heritability for GRD resistance and seeds/plant was above 50%.