Heterosis for yield and related characters in pea

Summary To determine the levels of heterosis in F1 hybrids, four current pea (Pisum sativum L.) cultivars from southern Australia were used as female parents and crossed with 18 introduced genotypes. The 22 parents, 72 F1 hybrids and, depending on the environment, either 54 or all 72 F2 families were grown in replicated plots in four environments. Grain yield, total dry matter, harvest index, branches per plant, pods per plant, seeds per pod, hundred seed weight, plant height, onset of flowering and flowering periods were evaluated. For both the F1 and F2 generation, heterosis was determined as the superiority over the mid-parent and also over the better parent. In addition, the superiority over the best commercial cultivar was calculated. Most hybrids were higher yielding than their mid-parent but were less stable in yield across environments. Four F1 hybrids were significantly higher yielding than the best parent, by up to 26%. There were significant correlations between F1 hybrid and mid-parent value for plant height, pods per plant and hundred seed weight but not for yield. Overall, grain yield heterosis was mainly due to more pods per plant in the hybrids. The level of heterosis for yield in a poor yielding environment was higher than that in a high yielding one. Both additive and non-additive gene effects were important in the expression of all studied traits. The average level of heterosis for grain yield and total dry matter in the F2 population was half of that in F1 hybrids. The low level of inbreeding depression from the F1 to the F2 generation suggested that epistatic gene action also contributed to the expression of grain yield. Some F2 populations maintained the high yield levels of the corresponding F1 hybrids.     

Relationship between phenotypic and genetic diversity of parental genotypes and the specific combining ability and heterosis effects in wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis> L.)

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the relationship between the genetic distances (GD) and phenotypic distances (PD) of parents and the specific combining ability (SCA) and heterosis effects. The experiment comprised 18 parental genotypes of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and 76 F₂ hybrids, obtained after crossing in a line × tester scheme. Parents and hybrids were examined in a field experiment conducted in a block design with three replications. SCA as well as mid-parent heterosis effects were estimated for selected morphological and technological traits. PDs and GDs were investigated between pairs of parental genotypes. GD between parental genotypes was evaluated by using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA markers. Heterosis was observed in all hybrids, and protein content exhibited the highest heterosis among the seven examined traits. The relationship between PD and GD as well as the SCA and mid-parent heterosis effects were evaluated using correlation coefficient. The correlation between PD, SCA and heterosis were low and not significant for the examined traits, whereas the correlation between SCA, heterosis and GDs were significant for protein content and rheological properties. The results indicate that GDs between parents can be used to predict performance of hybrids for selected technological traits.     

陆地棉品种与陆地棉族系种质系间杂种优势及其组成分析

采用ＮＣⅡ遗传交配设计,选用３个陆地棉常规品种和５个陆地棉族系种质系材料杂交,杂种Ｆ１代产量和纤维品质优势表现明显。通径分析结果表明,提高铃重,单株铃数的中亲优势,适当降低单铃种子数和株高的优势。在其它性状适宜的情况下,可以显著地提高皮棉产量的中亲优势。各个优势组合在产量优势来源上有差异。种质系材料在杂种优势利用上具有很大潜力。     

Heterosis and heritability in crosses among Asian and Ethiopian parents of hot pepper genotypes

Hot pepper is the most important worldwide grown and consumed spice and vegetable crop. Though hybrid breeding has been proposed for genetic improvement in the crop, but there is lack of information on heterosis in crosses among crop genotypes in Ethiopia. Twelve genotypes (nine Asian and three Ethiopian parents) of hot pepper were crossed in 2003 cropping season in a half-diallel fashion to fit Griffing’s fixed effect model analysis. An open field experiment was conducted in 2004/2005 to investigate heterosis for fourteen traits in 66 F₁ hybrids grown together with their 12 selfed parents. Highly significant genotypic differences were observed for all the traits except for leaf area. Variance component due to specific combining ability (dominance) were larger than that due to general combining ability (additive) for each of the studied traits with few exceptions. Broad sense heritability (H _b²) for fruit traits were more than 60% and with wide gap from narrow sense heritability (h _n²) for most of the important traits like number of fruit per plant (H _b² = 88.3% and h _n² = 46.0%), days to maturity (H _b² = 87.2% and h _n² = 23.1%) and dry fruit yield per plant (H _b² = 72.6% and h _n² = 14.6%). Maximum heterosis over mid-parent and better-parent, and economic superiority of hybrid over standard check were recorded, respectively for dry fruit yield per plant (163.8, 161.8 and 92.1%), number of fruits per plant (104.4, 79.6 and 136.4%) and days to maturity (−29.8, −31.5 and −23.6%). These observations suggested a possibility of utilizing dominance genetic potentiality available in diverse genotypes of the crop by heterosis breeding for improving hot pepper to the extent of better economic return compared to the current commercial cultivar under production in the country. Low narrow sense versus very high broad sense heritability for days to maturity and dry fruit yield per plant could be a sign for achievability of earliness and high fruit yield using heterosis in hot pepper. The maximum heterobeltiosis were recorded either from F₁s obtained from Ethiopian and Asian crosses or from within Asian crosses, suggesting the possibility of maximizing heterosis by considering genetically diverse parental genotypes. The manifestation of highest heterosis in hybrids from among Asian lines indicated existence of genetic diversity among Asian genotypes and the potentiality for improvement of hot pepper using genotypes from different regions of the world along with elite inbred lines from local cultivars.     

A Novel Breeding Approach in Quest of Temperature Sensitive Genic Male Sterile Lines Among Rice Intersubspecies Derivatives

Summary An investigation was made to exploit an innovative tool viz., thermosensitive genic male sterile (TGMS) system in twoline inter-subspecies rice hybrids using 132 hybrids involving four TGMS lines viz., TS15, TS16, TS18 and TS29 and thirty three testers viz., 17 indicas, 7 japonicas and 9 javanicas by line × tester method at Paddy Breeding Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, India. Pre-ponderence of non-additive gene action for yield and yield attributing traits was observed by analysing combining ability. TGMS lines TS18, TS29 and the testers CB96073, CB96026, CB94247, TNAU 94241 (indicas), Gohykumangoku (japonica), Dular, PRR16 (javanicas) were good general combiners. The hybrids TS29 × TNAU 94241 (indica/indica), TS 18 × Yamadanishiki (indica/japonica) and TS29 × Dular, TS29 × PRR16 (indica/javanica) were promising for heterosis breeding programme. The japonica tester Gohykumangoku and javanica testers Dular and CPSL0-17 exhibited strong heterosis for spikelet fertility when crossed with TGMS lines TS 16, TS 18, TS 29 indicated that these lines may possess wide compatible gene (WCG) for spikelet fertility. Based on mean performance, standard heterosis and sca for yield and yield traits, the inter – subspecies hybrids viz., TS29 × TNAU 94241, TS18 × TNAU 94241, TS29 × CB96073, TS29 × CB94247, TS29 × CB96026 (indica/indica) TS18 × Yamadanishiki, TS29 × Gohykumangoku (indica/japonica), TS29 × Dular, TS29 × PRR16 (indica/javanica) exhibited high heterosis over check hybrid CORH2 and the above hybrids can be exploited commercially. The present investigation revealed that the TGMS system may utilized as an innovative tool for developing inter subspecies two line hybrids with strong heterosis in rice.     

棉花杂种优势与几种生理生化指标的相关性

对８个陆地棉杂种及其亲本的四种生理生化指标进行了测定，并研究了这些指标与杂种产量优势的相关性，结果表明：幼芽匀浆互补法对Ｆ１皮棉超亲优势、中亲优势的预测相符率分别为８７．５％和７５．０％；杂种萌动种子ＡＴＰ含量普遍高于双亲平均值。超亲优势、中亲优势与杂种ＡＴＰ含量及双亲ＡＴＰ含量的平均值均呈正相关，且中亲优势与杂种ＡＴＰ含量相关显著（ｒ＝０．７１８８，Ｐ〈０．０５）；杂种产量优势与盛蕾期、盛花期的     

Heterosis in yield, endotoxin expression and some physiological parameters in Bt transgenic cotton

Although heterosis in cotton has been studied for many decades, very little is known about the performance of hybrids derived from Bt transgenic cotton parents. In order to known better the heterosis performance, yield and endotoxin expression in 20 hybrids (F₁) and their Bt transgenic parents were examined from 2002 to 2003 (Experiment 1), and the dynamics of source, sink and their ratios in a well‐performing hybrid H01 were investigated in 2004 and 2005 (Experiment 2). Results in Experiment 1 showed an average mid‐parent heterosis of 21.3% and an over check heterosis of 7.6% in lint yield. Considerable heterosis was also detected in boll numbers, boll size and Bt protein content. Of the 20 hybrids, H01 (K0215 × K643) exhibited the greatest heterosis in yield and Bt protein content in 2002 and 2003, while lint yields of H01 were increased 12.6% and 9.1% in 2004, and 11.7% and 8.9% in 2005, compared with K0215 and K643 in Experiment 2, respectively. Significant heterosis for dry matter accumulation and dry matter allocation to reproductive organs and ratio of fruiting forms/total plant (w/w) were also detected in H01. Sources (leaf area, leaf area index, leaf dry weight per plant and diurnal performance of photosynthesis), sinks (number of fruiting nodes, fruiting forms and dry weight of fruiting forms per plant) and the flow from source to sink were significantly enhanced in H01 relative to its parents. Both total N and Bt protein in H01 were higher than those in its parents. Significant correlation was also found between total N and Bt protein in the main‐stem leaves (R² = 0.877**). It is concluded that there existed considerable heterosis in yield, yield components and endotoxin expression in some Bt transgenic hybrids. Yield advantage of hybrid cotton (F₁) over parents can be attributed to improved source, sink and flow, while the enforced expression of Bt genes in hybrid cotton appeared to be due to the enhanced nitrogen level in plants.     

Diallel analysis of cassava brown streak disease,yield and yield related characteristics in Mozambique

Cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) reported from 1999 in Mozambique, now constitutes the main production constraint in the country. CBSD may be found in all plant parts, affecting food security and availability and quality of planting material. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relative importance of general (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA), and inheritance of relevant traits and to identify superior parents for use in further improvement of genotypes for yield and CBSD resistance. The parents were selected from a region where CBSD is the main economic constraint. Chigoma mafia was the best general combiner for average root number and CBSD resistance, Mulaleia also combined well for CBSD resistance. Clone IMM 30025 was the best general combiner for root pulp hardness, but combined poorly for CBSD resistance. Chigoma mafia × Mulaleia had the best mean performance for fresh root yield and CBSD resistance. Macia 1 × Chigoma mafia had the best SCA for fresh root yield, CBSD resistance and root pulp hardness. MZ 89186 × IMM 30025 and the reciprocals IMM 30025 × MZ 89186, Chigoma mafia × Macia 1 and MZ 89186 × Mulaleia had the best resistance to CBSD. This indicates that there is good parental material for CBSD resistance breeding. Chigoma × Mulaleia, MZ 89185 × IMM 30025 and MZ 89186 × Macia 1 had good mid-parent heterosis for the most important traits. Broad sense heritability estimates varied from 38.9 for fresh root yield to as high as 95.5 for harvest index, indicating the potential for effective response to selection.     

Heterosis in yield,fiber quality,and photosynthesis of okra leaf oriented hybrid cotton (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gossypium hirsutum</Emphasis> L.)

Leaf shape is an important factor affecting canopy structure, photosynthetic characteristics, and yield. Introducing okra leaf shape is considered an important strategy in cotton heterosis breeding. The objective of the study was to evaluate the heterosis in okra leaf cotton hybrid F₁s, which were developed by crossing two sterile near isolines and three restorer near isolines. A normal leaf check hybrid F₁, Zhongza 29, and four newly developed okra leaf oriented hybrid F₁s, including the super-okra (severely cleft and narrowly lobed leaf), okra (deeply cleft and narrowly lobed leaf), semi-okra (intermediate leaf lobe), and sub-okra (large leaf lobe) hybrids were selected in this experiment. Okra leaf oriented cotton hybrids significantly reduced leaf area index (LAI) (P < 0.0001), thus more light penetrated into the lower canopy. The LAIs for the super-okra and okra hybrids, however, were too small to supply adequate photosynthate, thus resulting in early maturity, short boll filling period, and low yield. As the LAI increases, the semi-okra and sub-okra hybrids showed certain heterosis. The semi-okra hybrid showed 7–12% heterosis over the check hybrid in lint percent, 6–11% in boll weight, 2–147% in canopy light intensity, 1–10% in net photosynthetic rate (Pn), and −3 to 3% in lint yield. As well, all tested okra leaf hybrids improved fiber quality such as micronaire compared with the normal leaf check hybrid. The results suggested that adopting okra leaf parental lines in cotton breeding provided potentials in increasing fiber quality with comparable lint yield.     

红叶棉花的产量杂种优势研究初探

利用综合性状表现较好的3个红叶材料作父本,与15个绿叶转基因棉花新品种(系)组配19个红叶杂交组合,研究了具有红叶标记性状棉花的产量杂种优势表现,结果表明:19个红叶杂交组合子棉产量具有明显的杂种优势,皮棉产量的具有正向中亲优势、正向超亲优势和负向竞争优势,衣分和单铃重具有正向的中亲优势,单株铃数表现正向中亲、超亲和竞争优势,筛选出产量竞争优势在5%以上、综合性状较好的优势组合4个。     

Breeding behavior of yield components and hollow heart in tetraploid-diploid vs. conventionally derived potato hybrids

Summary A factorial mating design with six 4x cultivars as stylar parents mated to three groups of pollen parents (4x cultivars, 4x high protein selections, and 2x S. phureja) was used to study breeding behavior of yield, tuber set, marketable yield and hollow heart in potatoes. Mean yield for the 4x-2x hybrids was equivalent to that of their cultivar parents although yield components, tuber set and average tuber size, were greater and less, respectively, than the cultivar parents. High estimates of general combining ability were found in both pollen and stylar parents for yield, tuber set, marketable yield, number of marketable tubers and hollow heart in all three hybrid populations. Specific combining ability estimates were significant only for yield and hollow heart. Frequency of white-fleshed 4x-2x progeny of five heterozygous yellow-fleshed 2x phureja genotypes was used to confirm cytological identification of a first division restitution mechanism operative in the 2x parents. Although three of these phureja genotypes generated high-yielding progeny, two others produced 4x-2x progeny with mean yield similar to that of hybrids among 4x cultivars.Scientific journal series article 11,601 of the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station.     

不同来源玉米自交系及杂交组合杂交当代子粒性状的差异分析

玉米杂种优势的研究对于提高玉米产量和品质有重要意义。对2013年海南三亚种植收获的89份温带自交系、59份热带/亚热带自交系和由这148份自交系随机组配的179份杂交组合进行当代子粒性状的测定。分析了温带玉米与热带/亚热带玉米自交系子粒性状的多样性与差异性,同时依据亲本来源的不同,探索了不同组合的杂交当代子粒性状的差异性。结果表明：温带来源的玉米自交系粒长和百粒重比热带/亚热带材料的粒长和百粒重显著偏长偏重;不同来源的自交系组配的杂交当代F₁,母本来源于温带的杂交当代F₁粒长显著长于母本来源于热带/亚热带材料;杂种优势分析结果说明,杂交当代F₁在粒厚和百粒重性状上表现的相对高亲和相对中亲优势强于粒长和粒宽。     

Relationship between genetic divergence and hybrid performance in japonica rice grown in a cold water-irrigated field

The present study was carried out to evaluate genetic divergence among eleven japonica rice cultivars and to assess the relationship between genetic distance and hybrid performance in partial non-reciprocal crosses among them. The 44 F1 hybrids along with the eleven parents were evaluated for five cold tolerance-related traits; discoloration at seedling stage, days to heading, culm length, fertility, and spikelets per panicle in a cold water screening nursery (17 ^°C). The eleven parents were examined for DNA polymorphism using amplified fragment length polymorphisms(AFLPs). A total of 855 polymorphic variants were generated and based on the polymorphism data, genetic distances (GDs) ranged from 0.023 to0.524. Very little heterosis was observed in hybrids for most of the traits,whereas heterosis was high for fertility. The correlation values of GDs with F1 performance were mostly non-significant except for discoloration and fertility. The correlations of GDs with mid-parent and better-parent heterosis were not significant and proved to be of no predictive value. Our results indicate that GDs based on AFLP markers are not useful for predicting heterosis for cold tolerance in japonica hybrids. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Heterosis in rice over environments

Summary Ten CMS (A) lines and their maintainers (B) and seven restorers (R) were used to make 70 crosses (A/R) and 70 reciprocals (R/B) following line x tester design. The 140 crosses and 17 parents (10 B + 7 R lines) were evaluated in six environments created by three nitrogen fertility levels (0, 60, 120 kg N/ha) and two seasons wet (WS) and dry (DS). Hybrids (both A/R and R/B) were superior to their parents in yield. Hybrids flowered earlier and were taller than the parents. Substantial heterosis, heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis were observed in different environments. Extent of heterosis was higher in WS (stress environment) than in DS (favorable environment). Twenty four hybrids outyielded the standard check (IR46) significantly. Most of them were derived from crosses with parental lines: IR54752A/B, IR58057A/B, IR46 and IR54. For days to flowering, the overall mean heterosis, heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis were all negative values. Heterosis for plant height did not change the plant type of hybrids from semi-dwarf to tall because the parents possessed same dwarfing gene. With proper choice of parents hybrids possessing higher yield potential, early maturity and semi-dwarf plant type can be developed for the tropics.     

Inheritance of sugar and acid contents in the ripe berries of a tetraploid × diploid grape cross population

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] is a major warm-season cereal, grown primarily for grain production in the arid and semi-arid tropical regions of Asia and Africa. Iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) deficiencies have been reported to be a food-related primary health problem affecting nearly two billion people worldwide. Improving Fe and Zn densities of staple crops by breeding offers a cost-effective and sustainable solution to reducing micronutrient malnutrition in resource poor communities. An understanding of the genetics of these micronutrients can help to accelerate the breeding process, but little is known about the genetics and heterosis pattern of Fe and Zn densities in pearl millet. In the present study, ten inbred lines and their full diallel crosses were used to study the nature of gene action and heterosis for these micronutrients. The general combining ability (GCA) effects of parents and specific combining ability (SCA) effects of hybrids showed significant differences for both of the micronutrients. However, the predictability ratio (2σ²gca/(2σ²gca + σ²sca)) was around unity both for Fe and Zn densities, implying preponderance of additive gene action. Further, highly significant positive correlation between mid-parent values and hybrid performance, and no correlation between mid-parent values and mid-parent heterosis confirmed again the predominant role of additive gene action for these micronutrients. Barring a few exceptions with one parent, hybrids did not outperform the parents having high Fe and Zn levels. This showed that there would be little opportunity, if any, to exploit heterosis for these mineral micronutrients in pearl millet. In general, high Fe and Zn levels in both of the parental lines would be required to increase the probability of breeding high Fe and Zn hybrids.     

Combining ability analysis and association of yield and yield components among selected cowpea lines

The study was carried out to determine combining ability and association of yield and yield components among crosses derived from seven selected cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) parents. Twenty-one hybrids were generated from diallel crosses excluding reciprocals. Hybrids along with seven parents were studied for combining ability and phenotypic correlations for seed yield and eight yield components. The result indicated that the general combining ability (gca) and specific combining ability (sca) were significant for most characters indicating the importance of both additive and non-additive genetic components. Additive gene action was important for eight characters except pod number, whereas non-additive gene action was not important for nodule number and grain yield. Parental lines IT86D-716 and IT81D-985 were found to be good general combiners for grain yield and other traits. The most promising specific combiners for yield and yield components were from crosses including IT87D-697-2 × IT86D-716, IT88D-867-11 × IT86D-716, IT93K-624 × IT87D-697-2, and IT87D-697-2 × IT92KD-405-1. Significant positive phenotypic correlations were observed between seed yield with pod length (POL), number of pods per plant (PON), and number of seeds per pod (SPD). POL, pod number per plant, SPD, and grain yield were identified as the best selection criteria that could be used in cowpea breeding programs.     

Hybrid performance and heterosis in spring bread wheat, and their relations to SSR-based genetic distances and coefficients of parentage

Development of hybrids is considered to be a promising avenue to enhance the yield potential of crops. We investigated (i) the amount of heterosis observed in hybrid progeny, (ii) relative importance of general (GCA) versus specific (SCA) combining ability, and (iii) the relationship between heterosis and genetic distance measures in four agronomic traits of spring bread wheat. Eight male and 14 female lines, as well as 112 hybrids produced in a factorial design were grown in replicated trials at two environments in Mexico. Principal coordinate analysis based on Rogers' distance (RD) estimates calculated from 113 SSRs revealed three different groups of parents. Mid-parent heterosis (MPH) for grain yield averaged 0.02 t ha⁻¹ (0.5%) and varied from −15.33% to 14.13%. MPH and hybrid performance (F1P) were higher for intra-group hybrids than for inter-group hybrids, with low values observed in inter-group crosses involving two non-adapted Chinese parents. Combined analyses of variance revealed significant differences among parents and among hybrids. Estimates of GCA variances were more important than SCA variances for all traits. Tight correlations of GCA with line per se performance, and mid-parent value with F1P were observed for all traits. In contrast, correlations of MPH with RD and coefficient of parentage were not significant. It was concluded that the level of heterosis in spring wheat was too low to warrant a commercial exploitation in hybrids. SSRs proved to be a powerful tool for the identification of divergent groups in advanced wheat breeding materials.     

两个杂交棉F1、F2代及亲本冠层结构与物质生产特征

以杂交棉石杂2号和新陆早43的F₁、F₂代及亲本NT2、H2、4-14为试材,通过测定不同生育时期各材料叶面积指数(LAI)、叶倾角(MTA)、冠层光截获率等指标,分析了各指标变化对群体光合物质生产的影响。结果表明,2个杂交棉F₁代LAI具有超亲优势,冠层光截获率具有中亲优势; LAI和冠层光截获率具有明显的母系遗传特性,而MTA受到父本的显著影响。F₂代冠层结构主要受F₁代相关指标和衰退率的影响,LAI中亲优势减小了衰退率; 杂交棉F₁代光合物质积累主要受亲本参数和超亲优势的影响,F₂代主要受F₁代参数的影响。杂交棉光合物质积累最大增长速率和直线增长期开始时间较晚,直线增长期及活跃增长期较长,最终积累量和最大增长速率较高。杂交棉F₁代具有明显的光合生产和产量优势,F₂代具有一定的产量优势。以选择具有优化冠层结构的亲本为基础,组配具有较大MTA的父本和较大LAI的母本,有利于改善杂交棉光合性能,提高群体光能利用率,进一步挖掘产量潜力,为杂交棉高光效组合的选育及提高F₂代应用提供理论依据。     

Agronomic and qualitative characteristics of ten bread wheat hybrids produced using a chemical hybridizing agent

Summary Ten experimental hybrids derived from the crossing of representative Italian pure-line varieties were grown at three locations in 1984–85. The amount of F₁ seed produced from the crossings ranged from 1.5 up to 4 kg per plot of 20 m². Hybrid purity was on average 88% when estimated through the growout test and 82% when estimated through acid polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (A-PAGE) of gliadin.All the hybrids showed high-parent heterosis for plant height. Grain yield was higher in the hybrids (71.1 q/ha) than in the female parents (66.5 q/ha); the range of mid-parent heterosis being-10% to +17%. Four hybrids showed standard heterosis (yield advantage). The highest value (+6%) was obtained with the combinations Chiarano x Leopardo and Claudia x Leopardo. Among yield components, the number of spikelets/spike proved to be an important trait and may explain the superiority of the hybrids over the traditional varieties.The bread-making quality appeared intermediate to that of the parents or closer to that of the poorest parental variety.     

Genetic analysis of rapeseed self-incompatibility lines reveals significant heterosis of different patterns for yield and oil content traits

Self‐incompatibility is one of the most effective approaches to utilizing heterosis in oilseed rape around the world. To evaluate the heterosis of double low self‐incompatibility, the possibility of combining seed yield and oil content, and the genetic effects of parents on their hybrid progenies, a 2‐year field trial using a 3 × 22 NC II mating design was conducted during the 1999‐2001 growing seasons in Wuhan, China. Significant differences in seed yield per plant and seed oil content were observed among the F1 hybrids and between F1 progenies and their parents. However, the heterosis for seed yield per plant was much greater than that for seed oil content. Mid‐parent heterosis and high‐parent heterosis of seed yield per plant ranged from 5.50 to 64.11% and from –2.81 to 46.02%, while those of seed oil content ranged from –1.55 to 7.44% and –3.61 to 6.55%, respectively. Non‐additive genetic effects were a major mechanism that accounted for the yield heterosis in addition to additive effects. In contrast, seed oil content heterosis was mainly dependent on an additive genetic effect. General combining ability (GCA) determined the stability of hybrid cultivars. In hybrid breeding, parental materials might be selected by the sum of GCAs and variances of special combining abilities (SCAs) of female and male parents for traits affected by both additive and non‐additive effects, and by the sum of GCAs of two parents for traits controlled mainly by additive effects. Primary branches and their siliques were the most important yield traits.