Genetic control of 2-propenyl and 3-butenyl glucosinolate synthesis in mustard

The genetic control of glucosinolate composition in Brassica juncea Coss. was studied in crosses between two 2-propenyl type mustards (cv. Domo and line ZEM 84-2293) and the Indian 3-butenyl type mustard line, 60143. Field-grown single plants from parents F 1 , backcross and F 2 generations were analyzed for glucosinolate composition. Selfed and crossed seed borne on the same parent was identical in glucosinolate composition indicating maternal control of this characteristic. F 2 seed from F 1 plants of both reciprocal crosses contained both 2-propenyl and 3-butenyl glucosinolates, indicating that glucosinolate composition was controlled by nuclear genes. F 1 plants carrying line 60143 cytoplasm had significantly higher 2-propenyl and 3-butenyl glucosinolate contents than F 1 plants with either Domo or ZEM 84-2293 cytoplasm. Individual plants in the back-cross generations contained either one or the other or both the parent glucosinolates. F 2 plants contained either one of the two parent glucosinolates or both glucosinolates in varying concentrations. The results indicated that 2-propenyl and 3-butenyl glucosinolate syntheses were controlled by multiple additive alleles at the same loci.Key words: Mustard, Brassica juncea, glucosinolates, genetic control