Gene Action

Gene action refers to the behavior of mode of expression of genes in a genetic p

opulation. Knowledge of gene action helps in the selection of parents for use in
the hybridization programmes and also in the choice of appropriate breeding pro
cedure for the genetic improvement of various quantitative characters. Hence ins
ight into the nature of gene action involved in the expression of various quanti
tative characters is essential to a plant breeder for starting a judicious breed
ing programme.
The main features of gene action are briefly presented below.
1. Gene action is measured in terms of components of genetic variance or co
mbining ability variances and effects.
2. Gene action is of two types, viz, additive gene action, and non additive
gene action. Additive gene action includes additive genetic variance and additi
ve x additive type of epistatic variance. Non additive gene action includes domi
nance varience, additive x dominance and dominance x dominance type of epistatic
variences.
3. Gene action can be studied with the help of various biometrical techniqu
es such as diallel analysis, partial diallel cross, triallel analysis, quadriall
el analysis, line x tester analysis, generation mean analysis, biparental cross
and triple test cross analysis.
4. Gene action is affected by various factors.

Comparison of Additive, Dominance and Epistatic Varianace

Sl.No. Additive variance Dominance variance Epistatic variance
1 It refersto that portion of genetic varience which results due to averag
e effects of gene on all segregating loci. It refers to the deviation from
the additive scheme of gene action resulting from intra-allelic interaction i.e
deviation of Aa from the mean of AA and aa It represents to the deviation f
rom the additive scheme of gene action resulting from inter-allelic interaction
i.e deviation from mean value.
2 Gene shows lack of dominance, i.e. intermediate expression. Genes sh
ows incomplete, complete or over dominance. Genes exhibit interaction.
3 Associated with homozygosity and is more in inbreeders. Associat
ed with heterozygosity and is more in outbreeders. No such association is o
bserved.
4 It is fixable. It is non-fixable. Only A x A type is fixable. A x
D and D x D types are not fixable.
5 Selection is very effective as it is fixable. Selection is ineffective
as it is non-fixable. Selection is effective only for A x A type of epistatic
varience.
6 It is the chief cause of transgressive segration. It is the chief
cause of heterosis or hybrid vigour. Associated with heterosis.
7 It is highest in magnitude in natural populations. Moderate in magn
itude in natural populations. Lowest in the magnitude in natural populations.
Factors Affecting Gene Action:
1. Types of Genetic Material
2. Mode of Pollination.
3. Mode of Inheritance.
4. Existence of Linkage.
5. Sampling Method.
6. Sample Size.
7. Method of Calculation.

1. Types of Genetic Material:

a) Pure Line à Pure Line

F1 Non-additive
F2 Additive, dominance, epistasis.
b) Homozygous genotype Additive and Additive-epistatic type of Var
iance.
c) Segregating population both additive and non-additive type of gene ac
tion.
2. Mode of Pollination:
Selfing (Inbreeding)
Additive Gene Action Cross Pollinated Population Non-additive gene action
Cross Pollination (Out breeding)

3. Mode of Inheritance:
Monogenic/Oligogenic/Qualitative character These Characters are governed by
one or few genes.
It is governed by Non-additive type of gene action.
Polygenic/quantative Character these characters are controlled by several
genes
It is governed by both additive and non-additive type of gene action, th
ough the additive gene action is predominant in the expression of such character
.
4. Existence of Linkage:
Coupling Phase: There is linkage either between dominant (AB) genes or between r
ecessive genes (ab).
It leads upward bias in the estimates of additive and dominance varience
.

Repulsion Phase: It refers to linkage between dominant and recessive genes. (Ab
à aB)
It leads to upward bias in dominance variance and downward bias of add
itive varience.