Genetic Analysis of Betacyanine, Betaxanthine, and Sucrose Concentrations in Roots of Table Beet

Genetic variation in pigment and sucrose concentrations of beet roots was investigated in a diallel cross among 9 inbred table beet lines. General combining ability (GCA) was significant for betacyanine, betaxanthine, and sucrose concentrations. Specific combining ability was significant for pigment concentrations but not percentage of sucrose. Cross × location interactions were significant and were in all cases due to the interactions of GCA with locations. Interactions of both GC A and SCA with years were detected for betacyanine and betaxanthine concentrations. Dominance, predominantly in the direction of higher percentage of sucrose, was ambidirectional for pigment concentrations. The average dominance level was in the partial range for all traits. Epistasis was not detected for percentage of sucrose, and was found for pigment concentrations only in crosses derived from one of the parents. Genotypic, phenotypic, and environmental correlations between betacyanine and betaxanthine concentrations were strongly positive. Genotypic and phenotypic correlations were not significant between percentage of sucrose and pigment concentrations.