Retrotransposon-related genetic distance and hybrid performance in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Heterosis is a main force leading the development of the hybrid seed industry in sunflower. The purpose of this study is to evaluate if heterosis effects for morphological traits among sunflower hybrids can be related to differences in the repetitive component of the genome of parental lines. The assumption is that, at least for certain traits, heterosis results from mutations in the cis-regulatory elements of genes, largely related to retrotransposon insertions and/or removals. Our experimental approach consists of a correlation study between hybrid performance and retrotransposon-related genetic distances between inbreds. Six sunflower inbred lines of different origin were crossed in a half diallel fashion; comparing parental lines and hybrids, mid parent heterosis of F₁ hybrids was evaluated for six traits. We estimated the parental genetic distances between the six inbreds on data gathered by the inter-retrotransposon-amplified-polymorphism (IRAP) protocol. Different retrotransposons previously isolated in sunflower were targeted by 11 primer pairs designed on conserved LTR domains. As a control, genetic distances were also calculated using 86 genic SNPs. We analysed the correlation between the mid-parent heterosis for each of the six traits analysed and the genetic distance (calculated on data obtained by SNP or IRAP analyses) between the parental lines. Differences between parents showed to be largely related to variations in the retrotransposon component of the genome. Retrotransposon-related genetic distance between parents resulted to be larger than that related to genic SNPs, and significantly correlated to seed yield and, at a lesser extent, to plant height and stem diameter in hybrids. The hypothesis that variations in the repetitive component of the genome, especially LTR-retrotransposons, affect the displaying of heterosis is discussed.     

Indica-Japonica differentiation of paddy rice and its relationship with heterosis

The Indica‐Japonica differentiation of three photoperiod‐sensitive and/or thermosensitive genetic male‐sterile rice (PGMS or TGMS, respectively) lines and 47 male parental lines from seven ecotypes were studied for their restriction fragment length polymorphism marker data to determine which ecotype crosses with the three PGMS and/or TGMS lines could lead to higher yield potential, and to estimate the relationship between the Indica‐Japonica differentiation of parents and heterosis in grain yield and its components. The results indicated that hybrids derived from ‘N422s’ and the early‐middle ripening Indica varieties from southern China, and hybrids between ‘Pei'ai64s’ and three Japonica ecotypes, including North‐eastern Japonica varieties, restoring lines of Japonica hybrid rice and north China Japonica varieties, showed the highest grain yields. There was less variation of yield among the F1s between ‘108s’ and the seven ecotypes than among the other F₁s. Highly significant positive correlations between heterosis of the F₁ yield and genetic distance of the parents were detected, although the correlation between F₁ yield performance and genetic distance did not reach a significant level. Considerable variation of correlation between heterosis and genetic distance was also detected in the Indica × Indica crosses and Indica × Japonica crosses. There was much higher correlation (r = 0.63) between the F₁ yield performance and the genetic distance of parents in the Indica × Indica crosses than in the others. It is proposed that a genetic distance of 0.4‐0.8 between the two parents of hybrid rice might be appropriate not only for F₁ performance, but also for heterosis.     

Genetic diversity of oilseed Brassica napus inbred lines based on sequence-related amplified polymorphism and its relation to hybrid performance

Significant heterosis for seed yield in oilseed rape has created interest in the development of hybrid cultivars. The DNA‐based marker protocol, sequence‐related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) was used to determine genetic diversity among oilseed rape maintainer and restorer lines. This measure was used in an attempt to establish an association between genetic distance and heterosis in hybrids for various agronomic traits. A total of 118 polymorphic loci were generated by 18 SRAP primer combinations. Based on the polymorphism generated by the markers, calculated similarity index values ranged from 0.46 to 0.97. Cluster analysis grouped 10 maintainer and 12 restorer lines into three groups, with the exception of two maintainer lines, PM5 and PM9, which fell outside these groups. The grouping of the lines was largely in agreement with the available pedigree data on their origin and agronomic performance. Analysis of variance among inbred lines and their resulting F₁ hybrids over two locations revealed significant differences for plant height, days to maturity and seed yield, but not for oil content. Substantial mid‐parent heterosis was observed only for seed yield, and ranged from 26% to 169%. All hybrids surpassed their respective inbred lines for this trait, except for a single cross combination of related lines. In general, crosses of lines located in different clusters yielded more than those from the same clusters. Regression analysis revealed a statistically significant relationship between the genetic distance of the parents and seed yield in their hybrid, and their derived mid‐parent and high‐parent heterosis. The correlation coefficient between genetic distance and yield (0.64) indicated a moderately strong relationship, so it is possible that some of the SRAP markers might be linked to quantitative trait loci for seed yield.     

应用遣传距离预测爆裂玉米杂种优势

根据80个爆裂玉米自交系数量性状的表现估算了它们之间的遗传距离及它们之间随机组配的67个杂交组合F_1代小区产量、爆粒率和膨胀倍数的杂种优势。相关和回归分析表明,F_1代产量的成分照优势与其双亲之间的遗传距离呈显著的二次曲线关系,而F_1代品质特性爆粒率和膨胀倍数的对照优势与其双亲之间的遗传距离无确定性关系。因此,可以根据亲本间数量性状的综合遗传差异——遗传距离预测爆裂玉米杂种一代产量优势。     

Using yield quantitative trait locus targeted SSR markers to study the relationship between genetic distance and yield heterosis in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)

The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between heterosis and genetic distance in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Heterosis in the different environments was evaluated and the relationship between heterosis and genetic distance (GD) was determined based on SSR markers for yield quantitative trait loci (QTL). Yields of seed cotton and lint showed a linear relationship with mid‐parent heterosis (MPH) and better‐parent heterosis (BPH). The variation in heterosis for other traits and their correlation with GD may be due to environmental factors or the effort of QTLs tested in the present study may vary in different environments. The present findings provide a foundation for heterotic grouping of parental lines and breeding of new cotton hybrids with improved seed cotton yield. This study calls for more research with stable QTLs as well as advance molecular marker techniques may be used in predicting yield heterosis in a more precise and reliable manner.     

黄瓜数量性状遗传距离与杂种优势关系的研究

探讨数量性状遗传距离与杂种优势的关系,为黄瓜新品种的选育提供理论依据。选择5份黄瓜自交系材料作为母本,6份黄瓜自交系材料作为父本,按半双列杂交法配制出29个杂交组合,对11份黄瓜自交系材料的7个数量性状进行杂种优势分析和聚类分析,并研究数量性状遗传距离与杂种优势的关系。研究结果表明,各数量性状均有不同程度的正向杂种优势,其中株高、结瓜数和单株产量的杂种优势最为明显,而单果重、主蔓20节内雌花数、果实长和果实粗的杂种优势比较微弱。11份黄瓜自交系被分为3大类群,地理远近与遗传距离之间并不存在必然的联系。结瓜数的中亲优势指数和杂种优势指数、果实长和果实粗的中亲优势指数及单株产量的超亲优势指数与亲本遗传距离之间存在显著的相关关系,而株高、单株产量的中亲优势指数和杂种优势指数与亲本遗传距离之间存在极显著的相关关系,大部分数量性状的杂种优势都随着遗传距离的增大而增大。在进行黄瓜种质资源评价时,不能以地理关系作为唯一标准;在进行黄瓜杂交育种时,可根据育种目标,适当选择较大的遗传距离来获得杂种优势。     

杂交水稻产量及农艺性状杂种优势分析

为探讨杂种优势与双亲值、双亲一般配合力（GCA）、组合特殊配合力（SCA）、双亲遗传距离的关系,利用10个不育系和10个恢复系,按不完全双列杂交配制100个组合,对杂交水稻产量及农艺性状的杂种优势进行了分析,探索杂种优势的预测方法。结果表明：杂种一代的超亲优势和对照优势主要体现在穗长、每穗总粒数、每穗实粒数几个性状上,其具有正向超亲优势组合的比例分别达到61.0%、66.0%和53.0%,具有正向对照优势的比例分别为62.0%、78.0%和79.0%,结实率性状具有正向对照优势的比例也达到58.0%。杂种优势与父母本值、父母本平均值、高亲值、低亲值及父母本差值都有较为密切的关系,超亲优势与高亲值在8个性状上都极显著相关;对照优势与母本值、父母本平均值、高亲值都呈显著或极显著正相关。杂种优势与SCA和亲本的GCA效应值密切相关,特别是对照优势与SCA和双亲的GCA都呈显著或极显著正相关,同时与父母本的GCA之差和之和都有较大的关系。杂种优势与遗传距离的关系比较复杂,当遗传距离在5~5.5范围内,双亲的距离越远,杂种优势越强。     

爆裂玉米距离分析与杂种优势

根据80个爆裂玉米自交系数量性状的表现估算了它们之间的遗传距离，又估算了由其中49个自交系间随机组配的67个杂交组合F1代小区产量、爆粒率和膨胀倍数的杂种优势。相关和回归分析表明，F1代产量的对照优势与其双亲间的遗传距离呈显著的二次曲线关系，而F1代品质特性爆粒率和膨胀倍数的对照优势与其双亲之间的遗传距离无确定     

高粱亲本遗传距离与杂种优势相关性分析

为探明高粱亲本在DNA分子水平上的遗传距离值与杂种优势之间的相关关系,通过采用微卫星分子标记技术对11 份有代表性的高粱亲本材料进行遗传距离值测算,并组配了10 份杂交种进行株高、穗长、穗宽、茎粗、穗粒重、千粒重等性状的杂种优势测定。研究结果表明：11 份材料之间的遗传距离值为0.208~0.574,平均为0.431。相关分析结果显示,10 份杂交种中,穗粒重的杂种优势指数与相应亲本间的遗传距离值呈极显著正相关关系,相关系数为0.830,其他性状相关系数均较小。但由于参试组合少,与亲本未能完全对应,因此亲本间遗传距离与杂种优势的相关性仍需进一步研究     

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.     

Self-compatibility and heterosis in white clover (Trifolium repens L.)

Inbred lines of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) have been produced utilising the rare self-fertility (Sf) allele. Twenty-two lines of four distinct groups have been maintained through five generations of selfing by single seed descent. Fourteen lines were used in crosses to produce F¹s. Both parents and hybrids were analysed for a range of morphological characters. Positive heterosis for dry matter production was observed in half the hybrids. No other trait showed significant heterosis. The degree of heterosis appears to be related to the extent of variation in morphological characters between the parental lines, some combinations of lines yielding heterotic hybrids in all cases, others in none. The majority of the F¹ hybrids are superior in terms of dry matter production to eight control varieties. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

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.     

西瓜数量性状遗传距离及杂种优势分析

为研究西瓜数量性状的遗传距离和杂种优势，对8份西瓜亲本采用NC-Ⅱ设计配制16个杂交组合，对杂交组合的7个数量性状进行相关性分析、主成分分析和杂种优势研究。结果表明，坐果节位和单果重显著正相关，中心可溶固形物含量和边部可溶固形物含量极显著正相关。主蔓长度、坐果节位、单果重、果皮厚度、中心可溶固形物含量、边部可溶固形物含量和果形指数7个数量性状可以综合成为3个主成分，且3个主成分构成的信息量可以解释总信息量的87.3132%。8个亲本间遗传距离介于0.3315~1.5121之间，A02×B04组合的单果重中亲优势和超亲优势最为突出，分别达到42.47%和37.38%。     

Inheritance mode of fruit traits in melon: Heterosis for fruit shape and its correlation with genetic distance

Fruit quality traits were studied in 12 exotic accessions and their hybrids with a “Piel de Sapo” inodorus melon cultivar. The genetic relationships among these genotypes were assessed with 16 microsatellite markers, which agreed with the classification of Cucumis callosus, C. pubescens and C. trigonus as accessions within C. melo. There were very large differences between all the exotic accessions and “Piel de Sapo” genotype for fruit traits. When the hybrids were analysed, three different situations regarding mid parent heterosis were found, depending on the trait: no heterosis (soluble solid concentration), highly variable, from negative to positive (fruit weight and fruit diameter) and general positive heterosis (ovary shape, fruit length and fruit shape). Best parent heterosis for fruit shape was also common among hybrids. A highly significant correlation (r = 0.81) was detected between fruit shape and fruit length heterosis, suggesting that fruit shape heterosis is caused mainly by the enlargement of the fruit longitudinally. A highly significant correlation (r = 0.84) between heterosis for fruit shape and genetic distance, as estimated with microsatellites, was also found. These results, together with the previously reported observation that melon fruit shape is polygenic and highly heritable, makes the genetics of melon fruit shape a suitable system for dissecting the genetic and molecular basis of heterosis.     

Genetic distance and its association with heterosis in peas

Summary The relationship between the genetic distance of parents and both the heterosis of F₁ hybrids and the variance of F₅ lines was investigated in 72 crosses of pea (Pisum sativum L.). The genetic distance between each pair of parents was estimated, using isozyme (GDi), morphological (GDm) or quantitative (GDq) markers and finally a combination of isozyme and morphological markers (GDi+m). GDm was poorly correlated with the other measures of genetic distance, which in turn were strongly correlated with each other. Genetic distance was moderately correlated with the level of heterosis for yield over midparent in the F₁ generation, with the highest correlation obtained from GDi+m. GD was not significantly correlated with heterosis for yield over the better or best parent but it was significantly correlated with all three measures of heterosis for pods per plant and hundred seed weight. There was no correlation between genetic distance and the level of heterosis for yield and total dry matter in the F₂ generation, but GDi, GDi+m and GDq were predictive for the level of inbreeding depression in grain yield and total dry matter. When parents were high in genetic distance, crosses produced highly transgressive segregants for basal branches per plant, hundred seed weight, harvest index and onset of flowering. Genetic distance between parents was thus a useful measure for predicting a portion of hybrid performance and also of the variance of derived inbred lines. It was concluded that when choosing parents for a cross, consideration should be given to their genetic distance as well as their overall adaptation and their yield. There is considerable potential for optimising choice of parental combinations in the development of improved pea cultivars.     

Heterosis and combining ability for grain yield and other agronomic traits in winter triticale

Hybrid breeding is a widely discussed alternative for triticale. Heterosis as well as general (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) effects were estimated for eight agronomic traits. The experiment comprised 24 F₁ hybrids, produced by a chemical hybridizing agent, together with their six female and four male parents, grown in drilled plots in two locations. In comparison with the mid‐parent values, hybrids averaged a 6.4 dt/ha (10.1%) higher grain yield, 8.4% more kernels per spike, a 6.8% higher 1000‐kernel weight, 9.7% lower falling number (FN) and 4.4% greater plant height. SCA effects for grain yield were significant and ranged from 4.5 to 6.9 dt/ha for grain yield. Together with GCA x location interactions, they explained most of the variation. For 1000‐kernel weight, GCA effects were predominant. SCA and interactions with location accounted for most of the variation in FN, whereas interactions were negligible for plant height. Correlations between mid‐parent and hybrid performance and between GCA and per se performance of parents were tight for all traits except grain yield, which allows for pre‐selection of parental lines. Although the amount of heterosis in triticale at present is closer to wheat than to rye, by selecting parents for combining ability and identifying heterotic patterns, grain yield heterosis of up to 20% appears sufficiently encouraging to embark on hybrid breeding.     

Heterotic patterns in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.): II. Crosses between European winter and Chinese semi-winter lines

Chinese semi-winter rapeseed is genetically diverse from European winter rapeseed. Our objectives were (1) to evaluate the potential of semi-winter rapeseed for winter rapeseed hybrid breeding, (2) to assess the relative importance of general combining ability (GCA) vs. specific combining ability (SCA) among combinations between Chinese semi-winter and European winter rapeseed, and (3) to compare the strategies to predict heterosis based on parental genetic distance (GD) estimated from AFLP marker data and GCA for hybrid performance. Four winter male sterile lines from Germany as testers were crossed with 14 Chinese semi-winter rapeseed lines to develop 56 hybrids, which were evaluated together with their parents and commercial hybrids for seed yield, oil content and protein content under three environments in Germany. The Chinese parental lines were not adapted to local environmental conditions as demonstrated by lacking winter hardiness and poor seed yields per se . However, the hybrids between the Chinese parents and the adapted winter rapeseed lines exhibited high heterosis for seed yield. About 20% of the hybrids were significantly superior to the respective hybrid control under three environments. Additive gene effects mainly contributed to hybrid performance since the variance components of GCA were higher as compared with SCA. The correlation between parental GD and hybrid performance was found to be low whereas the correlation between GCA and hybrid performance was high and significant, with correlation coefficients of 0.95 for seed yield, 0.87 for oil content, and 0.91 for protein content, indicating that GCA can predict hybrid performance. These results demonstrate that Chinese semi-winter rapeseed germplasm has a great potential to increase seed yield in winter rapeseed hybrid breeding programmes in Europe.     

Chlorophyll Content, Hill Reaction and PEPcase Activity in Relation to Hybrid Vigour in Pearl Millet during Early Seedling Growth

Three hybrids of Pennisetum americanum L. Leeke were analyzed for growth and photosynthetic components during early growth and compared with their respective parents. Growth in terms of shoot length, fresh weight and dry weight along with the chlorophylls, and Hill activity revealed better parental and/or mid parental heterosis in all the hybrids over their respective parents. However, PEPcase activity displayed heterosis only in BJ-104. In other two hybrids no heterosis over the parents could be observed indicating thereby that the activity of this enzyme may not be rate limiting in parental lines.
Nevertheless, it appears that in pearl millet hybrids improved photosynthetic apparatus as observed in chlorophyll contents and Hill reaction may be one of the early expressions of hybrid vigour.     

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.     

Comparisons of genetic and morphological distance with heterosis between Medicago sativa subsp. sativa and subsp. falcata

Biomass yield heterosis has been shown to exist between Medicago sativasubsp. sativa and Medica gosativa subsp. falcata. The objective of this study was to gain a better understanding of what morphological and genetic factors were most highly correlated with total biomass yield heterosis. We calculated genetic distances among nine sativa and five falcate genotypes based on amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and simple sequence repeat (SSR) DNA markers. Genetic distance did not correlate with specific combining ability (SCA) or mid-parent heterosis. In contrast, a morphological distance matrix based on seventeen agronomic and forage quality traits was significantly correlated with heterosis; the agronomic traits of maturity, midseason regrowth, and autumn regrowth showed strong association with heterosis. Heterosis was also correlated with subspecies. We suggest that in many cases progeny heterosis can be accounted for by the interaction of genes controlling morphologically divergent traits between the parents. In other cases, progeny heterosis could also be due to divergence between the parents at particular genetic loci that do not control field-level phenotypic differences. Genetic distanceper se between parental genotypes, based on neutral molecular markers, however, does not reflect the potential of individual genotypes to produce heterosis in their progeny. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.