HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Muehlbauer, F. J. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Muehlbauer, F. J. Agricola Articles by Muehlbauer, F. J.

Seed Yield Components in Lentils¹

A yield component study of 45 lentil (Lens esculenta Moench) cultivars was conducted to determine the interrelationships between yield and yield components and to develop a selection procedure that would take into account important yield components and give special attention to seed weight. Seed weight was negatively correlated with yield (r = –.30*, df= 43) whereas single-, double-, triple-, and quadruple-pods/plant, yield/plant, seeds/plant, pods/plant, and seeds/pod were all positively correlated. A yield prediction equation was derived involving yield/plant (x₁) and triple pods/plant (x₂) and having regression coefficients of 49.6 and 185.6, respectively, with an intercept of 650.2. The three variables included in the equation had a multiple correlation value with yield of .79**. However, with this equation, higher yields would be predicted for the small-seeded types and therefore would be of little use in programs designed to improve the yield of large-seeded lentils. Within the 19 large-seeded lines used in the study, seed number per plant accounted for most of the observed variation in yield (69%). Within the 26 small-seeded lines, podding habit seemed most important. Since seed/weight was estimated to be highly heritable (95%), it is suggested that recurrent backcrossing be used to transfer high seed weight into the higher-yielding small-seeded lines.

Key Words: Regression analysis • Heritabilities • Selection

² Research Geneticist, ARS, USDA, Pullman, WA 99163.

Received for publication September 4, 1973.