Genetic Basis of Agronomic-Morphological Traits in Cumin: Insights from Polycross Hybridization

Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.), the primary indigenous medicinal and culinary herb in Iran, holds significant economic importance. Employing polycross hybridization to enhance the cumin is a prudent strategy due to its small flowers, cross-pollination, and self-compatibility. This study aims to advance our understanding of the genetic basis of agronomic-morphological traits in cumin, which can contribute significantly to the refinement of this species for improved performance. To produce polycross seeds, ten superior cumin genotypes were carefully selected based on previous research and evaluated using a ۱۰×۱۰ Latin square design, considering agronomic-morphological traits. Half-sib families exhibited significant differences in all measured traits, except lateral branch number. Narrow-sense heritability estimates ranged from ۳۶.۴۵ (lateral branch number) to ۷۹.۸۳ (۱۰۰۰-seed weight), indicating variability. The narrow-sense heritability estimate for seed yield, the most economically important trait, was ۴۷.۸۲, revealing the combined influence of both additive and non-additive genetic effects on this trait's control. Seed yield showed a strong phenotypic and genetic correlation with ۱۰۰۰-seed weight and yield index. Furthermore, a significant phenotypic correlation was observed between ۱۰۰۰-seed weight and the number of umbels per umbellet. Based on the narrow-sense heritability estimates and trait correlations, indirect selection for seed yield through the preference for ۱۰۰۰-seed weight represents a viable approach

کلیدواژه ها:

Polycross ، cumin ، genetic and phenotypic heritability ، correlation ، agronomic-morphological traits.