Genetic variation for seed yield, protein content, oil content, and seed weight in Lupinus albus

Abstract

The yield, protein content, oil content and weight of seeds of 14 lines of L. albus and of 232 F₃ families derived from them have been determined in a favourable environment to assess the potential for the genetic improvement of this species. Yield and protein content exhibited wide variability around mean values of 1705 kg ha^-l and 38.4% respectively. Their broad sense heritabilities were 57% and 83% respectively, and neither character showed significant variety x environment interaction when parental lines were grown in two contrasting environments which significantly affected the mean values. These characters were predicted to respond to selection, but progress would be hindered by a genetic correlation between them of –0.53.

Oil content had a low mean (9.1%), high heritability (90%), but a low phenotypic variance, and hence would respond little to selection. It also was subject to variety x environment interaction. Seed size should respond readily to selection. No other unfavourable genetic correlations were found between flowering time, yield, protein and oil contents, and seed weight.

Transgressive segregation was common in F₃ families, many of which had lower protein, higher oil or smaller seeds than either of their parents.