Inheritance of growth habit and berry colour in ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal) – A medicinal plant

• Main Author: H.B. Deore* and P.Manivel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Indian Society of Plant Breeders 2014-06-01
• Series: Electronic Journal of Plant Breeding
• Subjects: Withania somnifera; growth habit; berry colour; genetics.
• Online Access: https://sites.google.com/site/ejpb2011/vol-5-2/EJPB_V5_N2_244-247.pdf?attredirects=0&d=1

Genetics studies were studied for the two qualitative character ivz., growth habit (Erect × Procumbent) and for berry (fruit) colour (Yellow × Red) in ashwagandha. The inheritance of the growth habit was controlled by single gene and the procumbent was dominant over the erect type. The gene symbol P for procumbent and p for erect is proposed. Inheritance studies of yellow versus red berry colour indicated that the trait was in control of classical duplicate recessive epitasis and followed the ratio of 9:7 (yellow: red). The berry colour in this cross is controlled by two genes (Y1 and Y2) with complementary recessive epitasis and gene symbols are proposed.