Genetic characterization of an Italian Giant Reed (Arundo donax L.) clones collection: exploiting clonal selection

This study is the first report of combining ability and heterosis for important vitamins and antioxidant plant pigments in cauliflower. Five CMS lines were crossed with 8 male fertile lines in line × tester design to develop 40 hybrids. These hybrids along with parental lines were evaluated for different vitamins and anti-oxidant pigments to reveal extent of heterosis and genetic combining ability. The CMS line Ogu12A was good general combiner (gca effect) and Ogu16A was poor general combiner for most of the important traits under study. Most of the heterotic hybrid combinations were associated high specific combing ability (sca effect). However, gca effect was also important in developing quality heterotic hybrids. The proportions of $\sigma_{\text{gca}}^{ 2} /\sigma_{\text{sca}}^{2}$ were less than unity in all the cases indicating the role of non-additive gene action for most of the traits. Highest number of heterotic hybrids in positive direction was recorded for ascorbic acid content followed by anthocyanin content. The accumulated average heterosis of the 40 hybrids was in positive direction for ascorbic acid, anthocyanin and lycopene concentration whereas it was in negative direction for carotenoids and chlorophyll pigments. Very high heterosis for ascorbic acid, anthocyanin and carotenoids in cauliflower indicated the scope for development of F₁ hybrids with higher concentration of these vitamins and anti-oxidant pigments. It is possible to develop heterotic hybrids for different vitamins and anti-oxidant plant pigments through selection of parental lines based on desirable genetic combing ability.     

Superior CMS (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ogura</Emphasis>) lines with better combining ability improve yield and maturity in cauliflower (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica oleracea</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">botrytis</Emphasis>)

Three CMS lines, Ogu1A, Ogu2A and Ogu3A were selected among ten lines after BC₇ based on superior commercial, floral and seed setting traits. Introgression of sterile Ogura cytoplasm in cauliflower nuclear background reduced the flower size but did not affect commercial and seed setting traits drastically. Line × Tester analysis was done by taking these three CMS lines free from floral deformities as female parent with nine diverse lines of snowball cauliflower as tester. The parent Ogu2A exhibited highest GCA effect for curd yield (4.51) and harvest index (1.97) while Ogu1A exhibited highest GCA for earliness (−2.73). The parent, Ogu2A exhibited significant GCA for curd length (0.39) while, none of the CMS lines showed significant GCA for curd diameter and depth. Heterosis for curd yield was highest in the hybrid, Ogu2A × Kt-22 (63.5%) followed by Ogu1A × WF (36.9%) and Ogu1A × Kt-15 was the best hybrid for earliness followed by Ogu3A × Kt-22 with heterosis of −14.4% and −11.7%. However, the number of heterotic hybrids for yield and earliness was low indicating narrow genetic base of the snowball cauliflower.     

Heterosis and combining ability vis-à-vis association for green fruit yield and component traits involving male sterile lines in chilli (Capsicum annuum) under wet temperate zone of North Western Himalayas

Fourteen genetically diverse inbred lines comprising of four genic male sterile lines and 10 often pollinated lines as testers were crossed following ‘line × tester’ mating design to generate 40 F₁s. These F₁s, parents and check ‘CH-27’ were evaluated in α-lattice square design, replicated thrice during summer seasons of 2020 and 2021. The male sterile line DPChMS 9-2 was good general combiner for marketable fruit yield and eight other component traits while testers namely, DPCh 10, PBC 535, VVG, Him Palam Mirch-2 and DPCh 40 showed significant GCA for majority of yield related traits. The hybrids DPChMS 9-2 × HPM-2, DPChMS 9-2 × DPCh 40, DPChMS 9-2 × DPCh 101, DPChMS 9-2× VVG and DPChMS 26-1× HPM-1 were the most desirable based on specific combining ability (SCA) and economic heterosis for fruit yield and other important traits. Heterosis was positively correlated with SCA indicating prediction of potential hybrids can be made based on both these parameters simultaneously. Present study provides an opportunity to exploit top hybrids for stability and commercial cultivation.     

Combining ability and heterotic patterns of extra-early maturing white maize inbreds with genes from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zea diploperennis</Emphasis> under multiple environments

Low soil nitrogen (Low N), Striga hermonthica and recurrent drought are major constraints to maize production and productivity in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Only a few extra-early maturing hybrids with combined tolerance to drought, Striga and low N have been commercialized in SSA. The objectives of the study were to determine the general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) effects of grain yield and other traits, classify the inbreds into heterotic groups using the SCA effects of grain yield, and the heterotic group’s SCA and GCA of grain yield (HSGCA) methods, and examine the performance of hybrids under contrasting environments. Sixty-three extra-early white maize inbred lines containing genes from Zea diploperennis were crossed to four elite testers to obtain 252 single-cross hybrids and evaluated together with four checks at four locations for 2 years under drought, Striga-infested, low N and optimal environments in Nigeria. The GCA and SCA effects were significant (P ≤ 0.01) with preponderance of GCA over SCA effects for all measured traits indicating that additive genetic effects were predominant in the lines under all the contrasting environments. The HSGCA was more efficient than the SCA method in the classification of the inbreds into heterotic groups. The hybrids TZdEEI 74 × TZEEI 13 and TZdEEI 74 × TZEEI 29 were high yielding and most stable across research environments. These hybrids should be further evaluated in on-farm trials to confirm the consistency of performance for commercialization in SSA.     

Identification of superior parents and hybrids for improving canola production under optimum and late sowing conditions

Major advancement in canola breeding depends on heterotic hybrids that require high general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) inbred lines. In order to estimate heritability, gene action type, GCA, SCA and heterosis and to identify superior hybrids with wider adaptation to cold, one hundred canola hybrids were produced by crossing 10 lines and 10 testers in a Line?×?Tester mating design. The F₁ and F₂ generations were sown in α-lattice design in 2012 and 2013 growing seasons under optimum (early October) and late sowing (early November) conditions to be evaluated for days to flowering, days to physiological maturity, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, thousand seed weight, seed yield and leaf electrical conductivity. The combined analysis indicated sufficient genetic diversity in the population and significant difference between two sowing date. The Line?×?Tester analysis presented significant GCA and SCA effects for all studied traits across optimum and late sowing conditions. The main gene action type was found to be non-additive, especially incomplete dominance and over-dominance in both conditions. Narrow-sense heritability ranged from low to moderate whereas broad-sense heritability was recorded more than 60% for all of the studied traits in both generations and conditions. The average heterosis in F₂ population for all studied traits was lower than that in F₁ representing this fact that heterosis is generally related to the heterozygosity at the population level and poorly correlated with heterozygosity at the individual level.     

食葵主要经济性状的配合力及杂种优势分析

选用农家种改良过的6个食葵细胞质雄性不育系和4个优良的分枝型恢复系为亲本,按NCⅡ遗传交配设计,配成24个F₁杂种,研究了9个主要经济性状,即株高、茎粗、生育期、盘径、单盘总粒数、单盘实粒数、结实率、百粒重、单株产量的配合力及杂种优势表现。结果显示：（1）不育系中有8个性状,恢复系中有7个性状的一般配合力差异达显著或极显著水平;有4个性状的特殊配合力差异达到显著或极显著水平;（2）株高、茎粗、生育期、盘径、百粒重等5个性状主要受基因的加性效应控制;单盘总粒数、单盘实粒数、结实率、及单株产量等4个性状则受基因的加性效应和非加性效应共同影响;（3）从GCA分析看,参试的不育系以A6最为理想,A2次之;恢复系则以C3最为理想。从SCA分析看,组合A2C1单株产量效应值最高;（4）杂种优势分析表明,大部分经济性状存在杂种优势,甚至相当一部分存在超亲优势,并且这些优势都是可利用的,F₁多倾向于早熟、粗壮、高杆、大盘、多粒亲本。     

Combining ability and gene action for maturity and agronomic traits in different heterotic groups of maize inbred lines and their diallel crosses

Combining ability information is necessary for selection of suitable advanced lines for hybridization and identification of promising hybrids for development of improved varieties. A number of 14 maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines and 91 related crosses were evaluated over two years, 2008 and 2009, in a temperate-zone of Iran. The objectives of the study were to identify the best general and specific combiners, heterosis and type of gene actions responsible for agronomic traits. Except for grain yield and growing degree day to milky, significant general (GCA) and specific (SCA) combining ability were observed for all traits. The Baker ratio for plant height (0.15), ear height (0.26), growing degree day to milky stage (0.04), and grain yield (0.002) showed the predominance of non-additive gene effects in the expression of these traits. The heterosis observed for grain yield, grain number, pollination period, ear and plant height was considerably higher than that observed for other traits. The correlations (r) of F₁ means and SCA effects were positive and significantly higher than that of r (F₁, mid-parents) and r (F₁, heterosis) for all the traits except cob percent, growing degree days to silking, and physiological maturity. MO17, K3547/5, and K3615/2 had negative GCA effects for growing degree day to milky stage and maturity. Among hybrids, MO17 × K3653/2, B73 × K3651/2, and K3545/6 × K3493/1 with positive SCAs for pollination period and grain yield had also negative SCA effects for degree day to silking and milky stages. Therefore, the use of these inbred lines and hybrids increases the response to selection for increasing grain yield and early maturity in maize.     

Expression of resistance to Atherigona soccata in F1 hybrids involving shoot fly-resistant and susceptible cytoplasmic male-sterile and restorer lines of sorghum

In recent years, cytoplasmic male‐sterility (CMS) has been recognized as a potential danger to the stability of crop production and resistance to insect pests in sorghum. Therefore, the influence of CMS on the expression of resistance to sorghum shoot fly was studied at the ICRISAT, Patancheru, India using the interlard fishmeal technique. The experimental material consisted of 12 restorer, 12 CMS and the maintainer lines, and their 144 F₁ hybrids. Shoot fly‐resistant CMS lines were preferred for oviposition and had more damage because of deadhearts than the corresponding maintainer lines. The hybrids based on shoot fly‐resistant CMS × resistant restorer lines were significantly less preferred for oviposition than the hybrids based on other cross combinations and exhibited the highest frequency (69.1%) of shoot fly‐resistant hybrids. The hybrids based on glossy and trichomed parents had the highest frequency (>90%) of hybrids with glossy and trichome traits, emphasizing the need to transfer these traits into both parents for better expression in the F₁ hybrids. The expression pattern of trichome density, leaf glossiness and leaf sheath pigmentation in the F₁ hybrids and their parents suggested that the interactions between cytoplasmic and nuclear genes possibly control the expression of traits associated with resistance to sorghum shoot fly in the F₁ hybrids.     

Barley mutant heterosis and fixation of'F1-performance'in doubled haploid lines

The phenomenon of mutant heterosis was studied in barley using F₁ hybrids developed from crosses involving two mutants derived from the same parent variety (067AR× 032AR), or from crosses of mutants with their parent varieties (Diva × 228DV; 437MG × Mg 4170). The agronomic performance (plant height, tillers per plant, kernel number and weight per plant) of F₁ hybrids was evaluated in relation to the corresponding parent variety used for mutant development. Wide-space sowing (0.O6 m²/plant) was applied to allow the full expression of hybrid vigour. The hybrids significantly exceeded their parent varieties in various yield parameters in each year of the experiment, Depending on the cross, the level of heterosis ranged from 39.45% to 82.1% for kernel number and from 44.45% to 91.2% for kernel weight, as an average of observations over three years. The increased yield of hybrids was accompanied by an increase in spikes/plant, without significant changes, in most cases, in yield components such as kernels/spike and 1000 kernel weight. The height of F₁ plants remained similar to the corresponding parent variety. Doubled haploicls (DH) were developed through anther culture from three F₁ hybrids to determine whether the heterotic effect could be fixed, even partly, in homozygous lines. Twenty-eight, 42 and 68 DH lines per cross were produced, and evaluated in the field, space-planted at 0.06 m²/plant, together with hybrids and parent varieties. The best-performing DH lines were evaluated again the following season in a conventional field trial. We were able to select 1.5 -14.3% of‘F₁,-performing’DH lines per hetorotic cross combination, which, in two years of studies, reached the yield of heterotic hybrids and significantly out-yielded the parent variety in plot. The yield potential of DH lines was better expressed under a wide sowing density, but even under normal growing conditions, the yield of the best selected DH lines surpassed their corresponding parent varieties by 17.77ndash;30.1%.     

Productivity of F hybrids of botanical varieties ofBrassica oleracea L.

Summary F₁ hybrids were obtained by making pair-crosses between nine botanical varieties ofBrassica oleracea. Although non-inbred parents were used, their yield was surpassed by all F₁ hybrids. The highest yields were shown by the crosses marrow-stem kale × sprouting broccoli and marrow-stem kale × cauliflower while the highest consumable yield (assessed by feeding plants to sheep) was that of F₁ hybrids marrow-stem kale × cauliflower and wild cabbage × cauliflower. A scheme for the production of F₁ hybrid seed is suggested, based upon an adaptation ofThompson's (1964) Triple-cross technique.     

Pollination, Fertilization and Seed Development in Inbred Lines and F1 Hybrids of Spring Faba Beans (Vicia faba L.)

When the flowers are not disturbed, the yield of F₁ hybrids of faba beans normally exceeds that in their inbred parents. The basis of this “heterotic autofertility” was investigated by examining flowers for pollination and fertilization throughout the flowering season and assessing the distribution of seeds and pods on mature plants. Six inbred lines and seven of their F₁ hybrids were grown without protection from bee visitation, and their autofertility was estimated’ by comparing their fertilization with that of cytoplasmic male-sterile line. The first direct evidence was obtained that heterotic autofertility acts by increasing; the proportion of flowers which were pollinated and fertilized. The autofertility was not perfect, especially in a closed-flower hybrid, as many ovules remained unfertilized. Several factors contributed to the number of seeds per pod in F₁ hybrids, being superior to parental means: (1) more ovules per flower, (2) greater fertilization of the basal ovules, (3) reduced abortion of the apical ovules and (4) greater overall maturation ovules.     

Inheritance of resistance to spotted stem borer, Chilo partellus, in sorghum, Sorghum bicolor

The spotted stem borer, Chilo partellus, is one of the most important pests of sorghum, and host plant resistance is an important component for the management of this pest. Most of the sorghum hybrids currently under cultivation are based on cytoplasmic male-sterility (CMS). In order to develop a strategy for resistance to stem borer, we studied the traits associated with resistance, and their nature of gene action in F₁ hybrids derived from resistant, moderately resistant, and susceptible CMS and restorer lines. The hybrids based on stem borer-resistant, moderately resistant, or susceptible CMS and restorer lines were equally resistant or susceptible as the parents for leaf feeding [Damage rating (DR) 5.8 to 6.6 vs. 5.9 to 6.6], and had significant and decreasing trend in deadheart formation (resistant CMS × resistant restorer lines < moderately resistant CMS × moderately resistant restorer lines < susceptible CMS × susceptible restorer lines), respectively. Proportional contributions of restorer lines were greater than those of the CMS lines for leaf feeding, deadhearts, recovery and overall resistance, stalk length, nodes per plant, stem borer holes per plant, and peduncle tunneling. The general (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) estimates suggested that leaf feeding score, number of nodes, overall resistance score, panicle initiation, recovery score, and stalk length (dominance type of gene action) have been found to be associated with resistance to spotted stem borer, governed by additive type of gene action, their correlation and direct effects in the same direction, and explained 65.3% of the variation in deadhearts, and thus could be used as marker traits to select and breed for resistance to C. partellus in sorghum. The parents having significant SCA effects for two or more resistance traits for either or more parents have also been discussed for their use in the stem borer resistance breeding.     

Breeding of widely compatible restorer lines in rice (Oryza sativa L.) through anther culture

Following anther culture of various F₁ hybrids of indica restorer (R) lines/wide compatible varieties (WCVs) and japonica R lines/WCVs, the homozygous diploid plants (2n) generated were test-crossed with indica WA type cytoplasmic-genetic male sterile (CMS) line Zhanshan 97A (WA), indica testers Nanjing 11 and Nante, japonica BT CMS line Hanfeng A (BT), and japonica testers Balilla and Akihikari to identify widely compatible restorer lines. The results of this study showed that among the diploid pollen plants generated from F₁ hybrids of indica R lines/WCVs, 36.7% and 64.7% possessed normal fertility restoration ability (rate of seed-setting > 80%) to Hanfeng A and Zhanshan 97A, respectively. 71.3% and 32.3% had normal fertility restoration ability to Hanfeng A and Zhanshan 97A, respectively, in diploid pollen plants derived from the japonica R lines/WCVs F₁'s anther culture. Several widely compatible R lines were selected from anther culture of F₁ hybrids of indica R lines/WCVs and japonica R lines/WCVs. These widely compatible R lines derived from diploid pollen plants showed good wide compatibility and restoration ability both to WA and BT type CMS lines. Strong standard heterosis of major agronomic traits and yield traits was observed in F₁ test-crosses of widely compatible R lines with Hanfeng A and Zhanshan 97A. The wide compatibility in widely compatible R lines H17, H158 and H281 was studied by a set of three-way crosses. Segregation of the fertile plants with seed-setting rate > 70% and semi-fertile plants with seed-setting rate > 69.9% agreed with a ratio of 1:1, indicating that wide compatibility in these widely compatible R lines is governed by a pair of major genes. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Phenotypic distribution of barley SSD lines and doubled haploids derived from F1 and F2 hybrids

Summary The doubled haploid (DH) system and the single seed descent (SSD) technique are frequently applied in breeding of self-pollinated crops to rapidly obtain homozygous lines from heterozygous hybrids. This study presents a comparison of populations of barley DH and SSD lines in terms of traits of stem structure. The SSD and DH lines derived from F₁ and F₂ hybrids Roland x Apex were examined in a field experiment. On the basis of a comparison of means, variances and correlations between traits in the F1DH, F2DH and SSD populations the occurrence/absence of linkage between genes responsible for the analysed traits was inferred. Independent inheritance was found for 1000-grain weight and the length of particular internodes, spike length and stem wall thickness. Moreover, no linkage was found for stem wall thickness and spike length, length of internodes I, II and thickness of stem walls, stem diameter and thickness of stem walls. The results obtained for the other pairs of traits indicate the presence of linkage.     

A diallel study of yield components and fruit quality in chilli pepper (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Capsicum baccatum</Emphasis>)

The aim of this work was to estimate the general and specific combining ability of peppers by measuring fruit quality and yield traits. This experiment was carried out on the garden field from Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV), Minas Gerais State—Brazil. Eight lines of Capsicum baccatum belonging to the UFV Horticultural Germplasm Bank were chosen based on their broad genetic and phenotypical background variation and then they were crossed in a complete diallel way. The F₁ seeds of the 56 hybrids and eight parents were planted in the field in a randomized complete block design. The data were submitted to ANOVA and the means were grouped by Scott–Knott test (P ≤ 0.01). Significant variation for fruit quality and yield components was observed among parents and F₁ generation. Analysis of variance for the combining ability showed that GCA effects exhibited significant difference and SCA effects of the crosses were significant, except for the height of first bifurcation. For almost all characters both additive and non-additive effects influenced the performance of hybrids.     

Genetic analysis of thrips resistance in cowpea (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vigna unguiculata</Emphasis> [L.] Walp.)

Flower bud thrips, Megalurothrips sjostedti is the most severe field pest of cowpea that causes massive flower abortion which eventually results to substantial yield reduction in Africa. There is paucity of information on the mode of gene actions controlling inheritance of resistance to flower bud thrips in cowpea in the literature. The objectives of study were to assess the genetic variability for thrips resistance among the cowpea germplasm, determined the mode of inheritance of genes that conferred resistance and both broad and narrow-sense heritability estimates for the inheritance of thrips resistance in cowpea. Twelve cowpea lines were used in crosses in the screen house at IITA, Ibadan. The mating was accomplished using North Carolina design II to generate 48F₁ hybrids, which were eventually evaluated with the parents. Data on number of peduncles, number of pods and number of thrips per flower were recorded and subjected to analysis of variance using random model by SAS 9.2. Significant variability was observed for most agronomic and thrip-adaptive traits among the cowpea germplasm, parental-lines and F₁ genotypes evaluated. General combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) mean squares were significant (P < 0.01) for number of pods per plant and other traits under the research environment. The GCA effect accounted for 68.82–80.07% of the total variation among hybrids for all traits except days to flowering; SCA explained less than 50% of the total variation. Narrow-sense heritability estimates ranged from 7.53 (days to flower) to 63.92% (number of peduncles per plant). Additive gene action largely controlled the inheritance of yield components and other traits under thrips infestation and these traits were moderately heritable.     

Use of androgenesis in intersubspecific hybrid rice breeding

Significant differences of callus induction, green plant regeneration and culture efficiency were observed among restorer lines and their hybrids in rice. Average callus induction percentage of F₁, hybrids was about twice that of their parents. Twenty doubled haploid (DH) lines that showed normal fertility with both indica and japonica CMS lines, were selected as widely compatible restorers (WCRs). TG8 derived from CPSLO17/Minghui 63 not only showed normal fertility to both indica and japonica test varieties and CMS lines, but also exhibited superior agronomic traits, in particular short plant, desired plant type, high tillerability, large panicles, good grain quality and resistance to rice blast disease. Strong heterosis for yield was observed in crosses between indica or japonica CMS lines and TG8. TG8 possessed a dominant, widely compatible gene (WCG) that was inherited from the variety CPSLO17. Results confirmed that the anther culture technique is a quick and effective way of developing widely compatible restorers in rice and that it is applicable to the direct use of intersubspecific heterosis with the three-line method.     

Alteration in important quality traits and antioxidant activities in Brassica oleracea with Ogura cybrid cytoplasm

In vegetable brassicas, cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) system is the most preferred mechanism for hybrid seed production and Ogura cybrid cytoplasm is the only source used widely. Effects of the alien cybrid cytoplasm on important quality traits need to be understood for their effective use in breeding programme. In analysing 38 Ogura cybrid cytoplasm‐based cauliflower CMS lines, it was revealed that introgression of Ogura cytoplasm resulted in significant alteration in important quality traits. Cupric reducing antioxidant activity and ferric reducing ability of plasma values were increased up to 5–10 times in different genotypes. Among 38 analysed CMS lines, concentration of plant pigments such as anthocyanin, total chlorophylls and ascorbic acid was reduced in 21, 17 and 32 genotypes, respectively. However, the concentration of total carotenoids and β‐carotene was elevated in most of the CMS lines and total carotenoid was increased up to 20 times in the CMS line, Ogu13‐85‐2A. The results indicate the role of nuclear–cytoplasmic interaction and mitochondrial genome in determining concentration of different quality traits.     

Genetic control of agronomic traits in alfalfa (<Emphasis Type="Italic">M. sativa</Emphasis> ssp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">sativa</Emphasis> L.)

The objective of this study was to develop diallel population hybrids by crossing selected germplasm and to determine the gene effects and genetic control of yield and yield components using diallel analysis. A complete diallel including reciprocals was made during 2003 and 2004 between five alfalfa cultivars of different geographic origin. For each pairwise cross, five plants were chosen at random from each of the two cultivars (~100 florets per plant) to obtain the F₁ generation. A spaced plant field was established in 2006 which included the five alfalfa cultivars (parents) and their 20 diallel hybrids (F₁). The results of the diallel analysis suggest that the genetic control of major agronomic traits is determined by both additive gene action (accumulation of frequency of desirable alleles represented by significant GCA effects) and nonadditive gene action (complementary gene interactions represented by significant SCA effects). This type of gene action expression in alfalfa also determines the way in which breeding is carried out and brings about changes in the methods used and has given rise to the idea of the semi-hybrid breeding of this crop. The concept involves: breeding alfalfas within the population, identification of heterotic germplasm, and the production of seed of the population hybrid (PH).     

Derivation of superior F5 lines from heterotic hybrids in pea

Summary F₅ seeds from six highly heterotic F₁ hybrids were produced to determine whether the superior performance of F1 hyrids could be fixed in pure-line derivatives of pea (Pisum sativum L.). For each cross, 24–31 F₅ lines derived from single seed descent were compared with F₁ hybrids and their parents in two environments. The F₁ hybrids out-yielded the best parent by up to 11%. All crosses produced F₅ lines which were as high in yield as the F₁ hybrids indicating that pure-line derivatives equivalent in yield to the heterotic F₁ hybrid could be developed by conventional breeding. Heterosis of the F₁ hybrids over the best commercial cultivar was thus a useful indicator of the future performance of the pure-line derivatives. These results indicate that overdominance was not an important component of heterosis in peas.