Heterosis and combining ability analysis in Chinese semi-winter × exotic accessions of rapeseed (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica napus</Emphasis> L.)

Fourteen accessions (spring and winter types) and four testers (semi-winter type) of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) were crossed in line?×?tester mating design to estimate general and specific combining ability for seed yield, yield components, and oil content. The F₁ hybrids and their parents were evaluated in four environments in northern China. Highly significant differences were detected among the parents and hybrids for all the traits across environments. Plant height, setting position of first primary branch and length of terminal raceme were controlled by additive genes, whereas primary branches per plant, siliques on terminal raceme, siliques per plant, seeds per silique, seed yield per plant, 1000-seed weight, oil content, and seed yield were controlled by non-additive gene action. The accessions SP-Armada, 9E49, and CZ25 and the tester Zhong9 were good general combiners for seed yield. Among the 56 F₁ hybrids, four hybrids: Zhong9?×?CZ25, GZ1R?×?9E38, Zhong7?×?9E38, and Zhong7?×?CZ49 showed higher yield than the control and were the outstanding combinations for seed yield. These hybrids were recommended to be included in future breeding programs for development of new high yielding varieties with more desirable traits. Both winter and spring germplasm have potential in Chinese semi-winter rapeseed breeding program, for seed oil content improvement, more attention may be paid to spring germplasm.     

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.     

水稻籼爪交和粳爪交杂种优势的研究Ⅱ.农艺性状的杂种优势分析

研究了籼爪交和粳爪交杂种在长沙、三亚的农艺性状和干物质产量的杂种优势.在长沙的籼爪交杂种在结实率和每穗实粒数方面具有负向超亲优势,在每穗实粒数、结实率、单株粒重和理论产量方面存在负向对照优势,其余性状均为正向优势;粳爪交杂种在千粒重和结实率方面存在负向超亲优势,其余性状为正向超亲优势, 在始穗期、秆高和单     

Combining ability estimates for yield and fibre quality traits in 4 × 13 line × tester crosses of Gossypium hirsutum

The aim of this study was to estimate the general combining ability of the parents and specific combining ability of hybrids considered for the development of high yielding and better quality cultivars. Seventeen genotypes and 52 F₁ hybrids obtained by crossing 4 lines and 13 testers in line × tester mating system during 2003 were sown in randomized complete block design in 2004. Line × Tester analysis revealed significant GCA and SCA effects for all the traits except fibre elongation. Preponderance of non-additive gene action was obtained for seed cotton yield per␣plant and majority of its component traits including fibre traits. Among the parents: PIL-8 for days to 50% flowering, CCH-526612 for boll weight, CITH-77 for number of open bolls per plant and CNH-36 for seed cotton yield per plant were detected with higher general combining ability. Parent, CCH-526612 for 2.5% span length, fibre strength and fibre elongation and AKH-9618 for micronaire value, fibre strength and fibre elongation were good combiners for fibre quality traits. The F₁s achieved high seed cotton yield by producing more number of open bolls. The high yielding hybrids with acceptable fibre quality traits were: CISV-24 × LH-1995, H-1242 × PIL-8 and RS-2283 × SGNR-2 deducted with significant SCA effects for seed cotton yield and fibre characteristics; 2.5% span length and fibre strength. These cross combinations involved at least one parent with high or average GCA effect for a particular trait.     

Heterotic affinity and combining ability of exotic maize inbred lines for resistance to aflatoxin accumulation

Aflatoxin accumulation in maize (Zea mays L.) kernels is a serious economic and health problem that reduces grain quality and nutritional values and causes death to livestock and humans. Understanding the genetic parameters and heterotic responses of exotic maize inbred lines can facilitate their use for developing aflatoxin resistant parents of hybrids in Africa. This study was designed to (1) determine the heterotic affinities of aflatoxin resistant exotic lines, (2) identify exotic inbreds with good combining ability, and (3) determine the mode of inheritance of resistance to aflatoxin contamination in these lines. A line?×?tester mating design was used to determine combining ability of 12 yellow and 13 white inbreds and classify them into heterotic groups. The inbreds were crossed to two adapted testers representing two African heterotic groups and the resulting testcrosses along with hybrid checks were evaluated in separate trials at two locations for 2 years in Nigeria. General combining ability (GCA) effects were more important than specific combining ability effects for aflatoxin and grain yield. Among 15 exotic inbred lines having negative GCA effects for aflatoxin and 13 with positive GCA effects for grain yield, six combined the two desired traits. Five white and six yellow endosperm testcrosses were found to be good specific combiners for the two desired traits. The exotic lines with negative GCA effects for aflatoxin accumulation will be used as donor parents to develop backcross populations for generating new inbred lines with much higher levels of resistance to aflatoxin accumulation.     

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.     

Genetic analysis of quantitative traits across environments in linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)

Summary Fourteen lines of linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) were evaluated for general and specific combining ability through line × tester cross analysis using five diverse testers in two different environments. Seventy F₁'s and nineteen parental genotypes were raised in completely randomized block design with two replications with respect to yield and yield related traits. Considerable genetic variation was observed for all the traits studied. The additive as well as non-additive gene effects played significant role in the inheritance of yield and related traits with preponderance of non-additive gene effects for all the traits studied. Higher proportion of general combining ability × environment interaction variance as compared to specific combining ability × environment estimates was recorded. Additive genetic variances were more sensitive than non-additive genetic variances to the changing environment. Low estimates of heritability (narrow sense) for primary branches per plant, capsules per plant, seeds per capsule, seed yield per plant, harvest index and oil content and medium heritability for days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height and 1000-seed weight was observed. Among the female parents LCK-9816, Parvati, Himalini, KL-168 were good general combiners for yield and related traits along with oil content, whereas among male parents, Surbhi and KL-224 were good general combiners for yield related traits and oil content but KL-221 was good general combiner for seed yield and related traits.     

Heterosis for yield and other agronomic traits of winter triticale F1 and F2 hybrids

Triticale is generally treated as a self‐pollinating crop and line breeding is practised. Hybrid breeding has been discussed for some time, but there is little information for winter triticale. This study investigated heterosis for eight agronomic traits in F₁ and F₂ hybrids grown together with their parents as drilled plots in three environments. On average, grain yield heterosis was 12.5 dt/ha (a relative 10.5%) compared with the mid‐parent value for F₁ hybrids, and 6.2 dt/ha (5.0%) for F₂ hybrids and withawide range of 4.4–17.1 dt/ha for F₁ hybrids. A positive contribution to the heterosis of yield was made by kernels/spike and 1000‐kernel weight, whereas spikes/m² showed negative heterosis. Hybrid plants in F₁ and F₂ were taller than mid‐parents (8.3 cm and 5.3 cm, respectively), with a tendency to earlier heading. The negative heterosis for falling number in F₁ and F₂ hybrids could be a problem for commercial production of triticale hybrids. By selecting parents for combining ability and the identification of heterotic patterns, grain yield heterosis of 20% appears feasible.     

转EPSPS基因抗除草剂水稻恢复系的培育及育种评价

为了培育既抗除草剂、综合性状又优良的杂交水稻组合,将3份抗除草剂衍生恢复系（华84EP-1、2、3）与5份不育系（红香2A、Y58S、广占63-4S、华1015S、天源6S）配组,对亲本、杂交组合的除草剂抗性和10个主要农艺性状（单株产量、结实率、千粒重、生育期、株高、有效穗数、着力密度、穗总粒数、穗实粒数、穗长）的配合力效应进行了分析。结果表明,所选育的恢复系的除草剂抗性接近完全(>96%),利用苗期喷施农达可有效地提高杂交品种纯度;恢复系、不育系的一般配合力分别在5个性状（结实率、生育期等）、7个性状（结实率、千粒重等）上达到了显著差异;杂交组合的特殊配合力仅在生育期上达到了显著差异。杂交组合中比对照增产最高的分别是天源6S/华84EP-1、红香2A/华84EP-3和华1015S/华84EP-1。因此,利用抗除草剂恢复系配制水稻杂交组合不仅可以提高品种纯度,也可以培育出强优势组合。     

Genetic Variability for Grain Yield and Protein Content in Barley and Its Modification by Net Blotch

Protein content, yield and 1000-grain weight of healthy and net blotch-diseased plants were studied in a diallel cross programme concerning nine different varieties of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). F₁ hybrids and their parents were grown in the field in two randomized block design experiments each with three replications (three inoculated and three non-inoculated plots). General and specific combining abilities were determined for yield, protein percentage, 1000 grain weight, protein yield, and non-protein yield. A high genetic variability for the traits studied was observed. Non-protein yield and 1000-grain weight decreased significantly in inoculated plants where protein yield was not affected. Significant general and specific combining abilities were observed for all traits. Values for general and specific combining abilities were, in some cases, significantly modified by net blotch of barley. This indicates that attention must be paid to the danger of drawing conclusions in quantitative genetics studies dealing with both diseased and healthy plants.     

水稻广亲和品种农艺性状的配合力分析

用９个水稻不育系与３个广亲和品种进行不完全双列杂交，对其杂交组合１０个性状的配合力效应分析结果表明，就杂种Ｆ１主要农艺性状而言，亲本的一般配合力效应比组合特殊配合力效应更为重要；株高、单株有效穗数、穗长、每穗实粒数、结实率、单株粒重、千粒重等性状，以一般配合力作用为主，而每穗总粒数、生育期、着粒密度等性状虽以一般配合力作用为主，但特殊配合力的作用也不可忽视；株高、单株有效穗数、穗长、每穗实粒数。结实率、单株粒重等性状以广亲和品种的一般配合力作用为主；生育期、每穗总粒数、千粒重、着粒密度等性状以不育系的一般配合力作用为主。     

甘蓝型油菜杂种优势和过氧化物酶的关系分析

对3个甘蓝型油菜杂交组合和亲本的农艺性状表现及其与过氧化物酶活性的关系进行了浅析,研究结果表明：杂种的产量性状,如单株粒重、单株有效角果数、有效分枝数、主花序有效角果数等,比其双亲有明显的优势;杂种花期的过氧化物酶活性高于双亲,与株高、有效分枝数、有效角果数、千粒重等性状具有显著的相关性;杂种的过氧化物酶同工酶谱表现为双亲的互补型。     

印水型杂交粳稻产量及产量构成因素的配合力分析

为确定新育成印水型杂交粳稻亲本的潜力,并为印水型杂交粳稻育种提供理论基础,本研究以4个不育系和4 个恢复系为亲本进行不完全双列杂交,研究产量及其构成因素的配合力。结果表明：产量性状一般配合力(GCA)方差均达到极显著水平,除结实率外,父本的一般配合力方差大于母本,单株产量、有效穗和结实率的特殊配合力(SCA)方差达到显著或极显著水平。139A和晚轮422 的GCA效应较高,产量性状以Ⅱ类为主,139A×晚轮422 和辽粳10A×晚轮422 的单株产量水平及组合SCA效应较高。父本GCA效应和组合SCA效应对产量性状的影响较大,母本GCA效应对产量性状的影响相对较小。本研究中,父本的遗传差异大于母本,对产量性状的影响也大于母本,139A和晚轮422 有较大的应用潜力。     

Bread wheat: F1 hybrid performance and parental diversity estimates using molecular markers

In wheat, the possibility of introducing F₁ seed into practical agriculture has been greatly enhanced by the discovery of effective chemical hybridising agents (CHAs). Although some technical and economic problems concerning the use of CHAs for large-scale production of F₁ seed remain to be solved, a first group of F₁ hybrids has been submitted for registration in several European countries i.e., France, England and Italy. Combining ability for grain yield and several agronomic and quality traits was studied in an eight-parent diallel cross. Highly significant combining ability effects were observed for all the traits while specific combining ability effects were statistically significant for grain yield, plant height, heading time and Chopin alveograph parameter P. The level of genetic diversity between parents as estimated using molecular markers is considered a tool for predicting the hybrid performance and heterosis of crosses. To explore this possibility, RFLP and RAPD markers were used to predict the performance of hybrids obtained from diallel and top crosses. The performance of the hybrids was determined in replicated plot trials sown at normal seed density in several locations. Coefficient of parentage (rp), based on pedigree information for all the pairwise combinations of the parents ranged from 0.01 to 0.34. The parents were assayed for random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) with 87 primers which generated 304 polymorphic bands. Genetic similarity between parents, estimated on the basis of common bands using the Jaccard's similarity coefficient (J), ranged from 0.25 to 0.57. Correlation between parental diversity and hybrid performance was generally weak. A positive trend is observed in the yield potential of the hybrids produced in Italy in the last 10 years. In fact among the first set of hybrids produced by random crossing of the available cultivars, none produced 10% more than the checks whereas the last generation of hybrids includes combinations yielding 15% more than the best standards. Our results clearly indicate the need to develop specific strategies in order to identify and/or to select parental lines with a high level of general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA). The information regarding the genetic diversity of the parental lines do not appear helpful for predicting F₁ performance. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

转双抗虫棉纯合系的杂种优势及其产量性状的配合力

采用NCⅡ设计，利用4个生产上推广应用的棉花品种与9个转两类抗虫基因（Cry1Ae和API）纯合系进行杂交组配，对36个组合的F1产量性状的杂种优势和配合力进行分析，结果表明：大多数组合的竞争优势明显，各产量性状均具有竞争优势，但子指的优势为负值；皮棉和子棉的产量均具有较大的竞争优势，两者分别为17．2％和7．9％，皮棉和子棉产量的竞争优势率分别达到86．1％和80．6％。产量性状的优势大小依次为衣分、铃重和单株铃数，分别为4．1％，2．1％和0．7％。对组合的配合力方差进行分析，结果显示：9个转基因抗虫棉纯合系各产量性状的一般配合力差异较大，4个母本中的两抗虫棉的皮棉和子棉的产量的一般配合力优于两非抗虫棉。对这些组合特殊配合力进行分析，发现有6个组合具有较高的特殊配合力。因这9个纯合系的受体均为冀合321，所以这种配合力的差异是由外源基因作用的差异造成。     

陆地棉配合力与杂种优势、遗传距离的相关性分析

 用10个陆地棉亲本进行不完全双列杂交,共配置了45个组合,计算亲本的一般配合力（GCA）、特殊配合力(SCA)、杂种优势,并结合SSR标记研究了陆地棉亲本配合力与杂种优势、遗传距离之间的相关关系。配合力分析发现,10个亲本的一般配合力和特殊配合力存在显著或极显著差异。分析亲本配合力、杂种优势和遗传距离的相关性发现,子棉产量、皮棉产量、衣分的一般配合力和杂种优势呈显著或极显著相关,纤维长度、比强度、麦克隆值、株高、果枝数、单株铃数、铃重、子棉产量、皮棉产量、衣分的特殊配合力和杂种优势均呈极显著正相关,而与遗传距离相关均不显著。单株铃数、铃重、子棉产量、皮棉产量、衣分的杂种优势与遗传距离均为正向显著或极显著相关。在育种实践中这些显著或极显著相关的性状可能具有较高的改良潜力。     

Relationship between hybrid performance and AFLP based genetic distance in highland maize inbred lines

The objectives of this study were to determine the crossing performance of highland maize inbred lines for grain yield, days to silk and plant height; estimate genetic distance (GD) among the inbred lines and in association with tester parents, and to investigate the relationship of GD with hybrid performance and midparent heterosis (MPH). A total of 26 inbred lines were crossed with six (population and line) testers in a factorial-mating scheme. The F_1’s and the parents were evaluated at five locations in Ethiopia. Nine amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) primer pairs were used to genotype all the parents. The F_1’s were found to vary widely for grain yield and other traits measured. Yield superiority of more than 30% over the best hybrid check was obtained for some testcross hybrids. Midparent heterosis on average was moderate for grain yield and, plant height. And for days to silking, MPH values were mostly negative. Mean GD values determined from the inbred lines by population tester (0.680) and line tester (0.661) combinations were not significantly different. Cluster analysis separated the tester parents from the corresponding inbred lines. AFLP grouping of the inbred lines was in agreement with their pedigree records. Genetic distances derived from the inbred lines × all testers and from the population testers’ sub-group were not positively correlated with hybrid performance and MPH for most traits. In contrast, correlations of GDs involving the line testers’ sub-group with F_1’s and MPH were significantly positive but with low magnitude to be of predictive value.     

Combining ability and heterosis over environments for yield and yield components in two-line hybrids involving thermosensitive genic male sterile lines in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Presence of substantial heterosis and economic hybrid seed production are two most desirable components for success of any commercial hybrid breeding programme. Thermosensitive genic male sterile (TGMS) lines of rice, in this regard, have tremendous potential in realizing further quantum jump in yield and economical hybrid seed cost. Analyses for combining ability and heterosis over optimum (120N : 60P₂O₅ : 40K₂O kg/ha) and high (200N : 90P₂O₅ : 60K₂O kg/ha) fertility environments for six traits were made in 2 years (2001 and 2002) using 120 hybrids of inter‐ and intra‐subspecific nature derived from hybridization of 30 elite indica TGMS lines and four cultivars, viz., ‘Pant Dhan 4’ and ‘Ajaya’ (I = indica), ‘Taichung 65’ (J = japonica) and ‘IR 65598‐112‐2’ (TJ = tropical japonica) in line × tester mating design. Predominance of non‐additive genetic variance suggested good prospects of hybrid breeding. Pooled analysis revealed highly significant variances for lines, general combining ability (GCA), specific combining ability (SCA) and line x tester. TGMS line 365‐8S was the best general combiner for all the six traits including grain yield. Trend of relative mid‐parent heterosis for grain yield, panicle length, grain number per panicle and earliness in flowering was I/TJ > I/J > I/I. For panicle number per plant and 1000‐grain weight, trends were I/TJ > I/I > I/J and I/I > I/TJ > I/J, respectively. Grain yield recorded heterosis of 49.3%, 71.9% and 92.7% for I/I, I/J and I/TJ hybrid groups respectively. Effect of environments on the hybrid performance indicated better response of hybrids at high fertilizer dose. Study suggests greater prospects of combining improved japonica and tropical japonica germplasms having wide compatible gene with indica TGMS lines for exploitation of intersubspecific heterosis.     

Combining ability and gene action controlling yield and yield components in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under drought‐stressed and nonstressed conditions

This study determined the combining ability and gene action controlling yield and yield‐related traits in wheat under drought‐stressed and nonstressed conditions. Twelve parents possessing Rht‐B1b and Rht‐D1a genes and their 66 half‐diallel crosses were evaluated under field and glasshouse conditions. Plant height (PH), productive tiller number (TN), kernels per spike (KPS), thousand seed weight (TSW) and grain yield (GY) were recorded. Analysis of variance, heritability, correlation and combining ability analyses were performed. Heritability estimates ranged from 53.00% (TN) to 63.07% (KPS). Yield showed positive correlations with all other traits under all test conditions. Significant GCA effects were observed for all traits recorded across test conditions, except for yield in the glasshouse. All Baker's ratios were less than a unit, indicating predominance of nonadditive gene action. Consistently high positive GCA effects were observed on LM02 for GY; LM02 and LM23 for KPS; and LM04 and LM09 for TSW, while LM17 and LM21 had negative effects for PH. Good general and specific combiners will be used for further breeding and selection.     

芝麻配合力的研究

本文对54个芝麻杂交组合10个性状进行配合力分析,结果得出:一般配合力方差明显大于特殊配合力方差,表明这些性状的遗传主要受加性基因控制.同一亲本不同性状或同一性状不同亲本间的一般配合力和组合的特殊配合力相差很大.即使双亲的一般配合力都为负值,也不能排除获得特殊配合力较高的组合.特殊配合力与双亲一般配合力均值呈显著、极显著的正相关.果轴长、单株产量、单株蒴数、株高和千粒重5个性状的总配合力与单株实产呈极显著的正相关,腿高和黄尖长呈极显著的负相关.上述分析结果有利于芝麻亲本选配及杂种后代的选择.