Further evidence for the genetic basis of qualitative traits and their linkage relationships in Dolichos bean (Lablab purpureus L.).

An investigation on inheritance of qualitative traits in dolichos bean revealed biallelic monogenic control of photoperiodinduced sensitivity to flowering time and flower colour in F₂ and F₂ generations. While, growth habit and pod curvature are each controlled by two genes that exhibit classical complementary epistasis, raceme emergence was controlled by two genes that displayed classical inhibitory epistasis. The dominant alleles, at two different unlinked pairs of genes are necessary for plants to exhibit indeterminate growth habit and bear straight pods. Any other combination of alleles at the two pairs of genes result in plants displaying determinate growth habit and bearing curved pods.While, the genes controlling growth habit, PSFT and raceme emergence are linked. Those controlling flower colour and pod curvature are segregated independent of each other. These results are discussed in relation to strategies for breeding dolichos bean.