Heterosis and combining ability analysis for biochemical traits of velvet bean

Velvet bean is an important underutilized medicinal plant widely used in traditional system of medicine. Its seed are rich in protein, minerals and as a major source of biomolecule L-Dopa, which is used for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Seeds of six parents and 15 hybrids resulting from half-diallel design excluding reciprocals were analysed for various biochemical traits such as L-Dopa, total phenols, total tannins, crude protein and fat. The sca variance was greater than gca variance for biochemical traits. This indicated that the predominance of non-additive gene action governing the inheritance of these characters. The present study identified hybrids IIHR Selection 2 x Arka Aswini, Arka Aswini x IIHR Selection LP, Arka Dhanvantari x Arka Aswini, Arka Dhanvantari x IIHR Selection 3 with high average heterosis and heterobeltiosis for L-Dopa, total phenols and total tannins. The crosses IIHR Selection 3 x IIHR Selection LP and IIHR Selection 2 x IIHR Selection LP have manifested high heterosis over mid parent and better parent for protein. IIHR Selection 2 was a good general combiner for high L-Dopa and total phenolics. Arka Aswinini was identified as best general combiner for total tannin. Arka Dhanvantari and IIHR Selection 3 were found to be good general combiners for protein and fat. The Hybrids Arka Dhanvantari x Arka Aswini and IIHR Selection 2 x Arka Aswini were best cross combiners for high L-Dopa for pharmaceutical use and Arka Dhanvantari x IIHR Selection 2 for low L-Dopa for food and feed purpose. The cross IIHR Selection 3 x IIHR Selection LP was best specific cross combiner for protein content, which could be used in the future breeding programme of velvet bean.