Cassava is an important root crop in sub-Saharan Africa, largely cultivated for its starchy edible roots. Biofortified cassava varieties with enhanced provitamin A carotenoid content (PVAC) developed through conventional breeding provide a solution for vitamin A deficiency among vulnerable communities. The aim of this study was to use diallel analysis of six provitamin A cassava genotypes to determine the combining ability, genetic components, heritability, and heterosis of the most important yield characteristics and total carotenoids. Genetic variability for measured characteristics were evident. Fresh root yield was mainly determined by non-additive genetic effects, while dry matter content and total carotenoids were determined by additive effects. Total carotenoids were negatively correlated with fresh root yield, indicating that selection for higher provitamin A content could reduce yield. Mid and higher parent heterosis was seen in some of the crosses for fresh root yield, dry matter content, and total carotenoids. Narrow sense heritability was moderate for fresh root yield and dry matter content, and was high for total carotenoids. This study indicated that yield and dry matter content can be improved in provitamin A cassava but that increased provitamin A content may carry a yield penalty.

中文翻译：

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维生素A木薯F1杂交后代的产量特征，干物质含量和总类胡萝卜素的结合能力和遗传成分

木薯是撒哈拉以南非洲地区重要的根系作物，主要以淀粉类可食用根系种植。通过常规育种开发的具有增强的维生素原A类胡萝卜素含量（PVAC）的生物强化木薯品种为脆弱社区中的维生素A缺乏症提供了解决方案。这项研究的目的是使用六种原维生素A木薯的基因型进行透析分析，以确定最重要的产量特征和总类胡萝卜素的结合能力，遗传成分，遗传力和杂种优势。所测特征的遗传变异性很明显。新鲜根的产量主要由非累加遗传效应决定，而干物质含量和总类胡萝卜素则由累加效应决定。总类胡萝卜素与鲜根产量呈负相关，表明选择较高维生素原A含量可能会降低产量。在一些杂交中，中，高级亲本杂种优势表现为鲜根产量，干物质含量和总类胡萝卜素。狭义遗传力对于新鲜根产量和干物质含量适中，对于总类胡萝卜素则较高。这项研究表明，木薯原维生素A可以提高产量和干物质含量，但增加原维生素A含量可能会增加产量。