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Genotype Assay and Method of Moments Analyses of Five Quantitative Traits in a Spring Wheat Cross¹

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the genotype assay procedure for estimating the number of genes governing quantitative traits. For comparison, numbers of genes were also estimated by applying the method of moments procedure to the same material. The genotype assay and method of moments procedures were used to estimate the number of genes controlling differences in spikelets/spike, kernels/spike, kernel weight, grinding time, and culm length between the spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar Cook and line NB125. A modified split-plot field experiment with 176 F₅-derived families was conducted in each of 2 years at one location. Genotype assay analysis gave estimates of numbers of genes of 3 to 24+, 2 to 8, 2 to 8, 1 to 6, and 3 to 17 controlling spikelets/spike, kernels/spike, kernel weight, grinding time, and culm length, respectively. The method of moments gave estimates of 2 to 7, 4 to 7, 3 to 8, 2 to 9, and 6 to 10 for the same traits. Genotype-environment interaction contributed to variation in estimates from both methods. Genotype assay was sensitive to the level of Type I error used to test for variation among grandprogeny lines while the method of moments analysis was sensitive to the method used for estimating genotypic range. A general equation for estimating gene number by the method of moments from any generation within a cross of two inbred lines was developed. The advantages of using the method of moments in later generations was discussed. The method of moments applied to later generations may often be superior to genotype assay for estimating the number of genes affecting a quantitative trait.

Key Words: Quantitative genetics • Number of genes • Triticum aestivum L.

² Former graduate research assistant (currently post-doctoral fellow, Int. Ctr. for Agric. Res. in the Dry Areas, ICARDA, P.O. Box 5466, Aleppo, Syria), and senior research scientist in the Crop Develop. Ctr., respectively.

Received for publication April 26, 1984.