Heterosis for superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and catalase enzymes in the head of single cross-hybrids of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata)

B. K. Singh, S. R. Sharma and B. Singh

Journal of Genetics 89 (2): 217-221, 2010
E-mail: bksinghkushinagar@yahoo.co.in

Abstract

Antioxidants have been known as beneficial for enhancing the fitness, preventing disorders, overcoming stresses, and even mitigating the effects of senescence and ageing. We evaluated sixteen parents and their fifty-five F₁ hybrids with the objective to examine the magnitude and the direction of heterosis for superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and catalase enzymes; and to identify promising parents and hybrids with improved inbuilt oxidative defence systems. Sufficient amount of variations were estimated for antioxidant enzymes among F₁ hybrids. The parents CMS-GA, Golden Acre, Pride of Asia, Red Cabbage, MR-1 and AC-208 exhibited higher hybrid effects for antioxidant enzymes and are regarded as promising candidates for possible use in future cabbage breeding. The F₁ hybrids of CMS-GA × C-2, Golden Acre × Red Cabbage, Pride of Asia × C-4 and Golden Acre × AC-208 were the most worthy as they possessed significant heterosis for antioxidants as well as yield. The information generated from this study will impact our understanding of plant defence mechanisms and the design of crop improvement strategies for better plant stand; tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses; long stay green; improved shelf life; etc. without losing the vigour advantages for yield.

Key words: Hybrid vigour; cabbage; antioxidant; superoxide dismutase (SOD); peroxidase (POX); catalase (CAT)