Genetic divergence among a non-restorer collection of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) and its relationship with heterosis

Summary A genetic diversity analysis in a collection of 171 non-restorer lines of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) using D² technique and canonical variate analysis indicated that considerable variation in grain yield has been added to the collection by the addition of lines derived from random mating populations. The efficiency of D² and canonical variate techniques in distinguishing extremely diverse genotypes was confirmed. However, the two techniques showed weak correspondence in their clusters. The F₁ hybrids of 15 diverse lines exhibited no relationship between heterosis or per se performance of crosses and diversity in their parents. Therefore, traditional plant breeding methods are being advocated.Approved by ICRISAT as Journal Article no. 435.     

Isoenzymic diversity index of vigna parents in relation to heterosis for seed yield in green gram (Vigna radiata (L.)Wilczek)

Summary Extent of heterosis for seed yield is an indicator for transgressive segregation in cross of self-pollinated crops. However, the extent of heterosis is thought to be related to the genetic diversity among the parents. Isoenzymic variation was used for estimating the genetic diversity. Eight varieties of green gram (Vigna radiata) were characterized for esterase, amylases, phosphatases, catalase and peroxidase isoenzymes. Differences in these systems were used to calculate a diversity index (D.I.). Hybrids produced from an inbred pair having higher D.I.'s outyielded those with low D.I.'s. However, the correlation (r) between D.I. and heterosis for seed yield was not consistent in different seasons but some of the desirable crosses could be singled out on the basis of D.I.     

Genetic diversity of Tainan-white maize inbred lines and prediction of single cross hybrid performance using RAPD markers

To evaluate the genetic diversity of 13 maize inbred lines, and to determine the correlation between genetic distance and single cross hybrid performance, we employed the randomly amplified polymorphic DNA(RAPD)- a PCR-based technique. Six of these lines came from the Taichung population, and others derived from seven different sites. Forty different primers were used to give a total of 646 reproducible amplification products, 547 (84.7%) of them being polymorphic. Genetic divergence was determined using Jaccard's similarity coefficient, and a final dendrogram was constructed by UPGMA (unweighted pair-group method with arithmetical averages) cluster analysis in the CLUSTER procedure of the SAS system. The RAPD analysis was a useful tool in determining the extent of genetic diversity among Tainan-white maize inbred lines in the present case. Cluster analysis showed that the 13 inbred lines could be classified into distinct heterotic groups. There was no significant linear regression of grain dry weight heterosis value and mean performance of hybrids on genetic distance. And their coefficients of determination(R²) are small, so that predictive value is limited. The present results showed that the Jaccard's similarity coefficients based on RAPD data cannot be used to precisely predict the F₁ hybrids yield performance and heterosis value. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Heterosis in relation to genetic divergence and specific combining ability in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Summary The frequency and magnitude of heterosis were examined in relation to genetic divergence among parents in two diallel cross experiments in groundnut. The parents were grouped into clusters based on their diver-gence. The range, mean and standard deviation of the intra-and inter-cluster divergence were used to define four divergence classes. The frequency of heterotic crosses and the magnitude of heterosis for yield and its components were found to be higher in crosses between the parents in intermediate divergence classes than extreme ones. The results agreed well with the overall status of the specific combining ability of these crosses.     

Analysis of an incomplete diallel cross among three ssp. tuberosum varieties and seven long-day adapted ssp. andigena clones of the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Summary The main aim of the experiment was to study the behaviour of seven long-day adapted clones of Solanum tuberosum ssp. andigena (A) and three varieties of S. tuberosum ssp. tuberosum (T) in an incomplete diallel cross. The four groups of crosses, TxT, TxA, AxT and AxA, held 2, 12, 20 and 21 populations, respectively. Eleven of the intersubspecific crosses were exact reciprocals. Thirty random clones per population were grown as second clonal generation in an incomplete block design with four replications in plots of two plants per clone in 1980, the parents included in many plots. Data were recorded on ten characters.The results showed that group TxA gave the highest tuber yield and AxT the second highest. The F-values indicated highly significant genotypic effects for all characters in all populations. The mean genotypic coefficients of variation (GCV), were the highest for group AxA for all characters. The ANOVA, based on population means showed significant mean squares for general combining abilities (GCA) and for differences of reciprocalls for all characters; the specific combining ability (SCA) mean squares were significant only for date of emergence, plant height and haulm type. Almost all GCA effects of the parents were significant positive or negative. Several populations showed also significant SCA effects. The correlations between the GCA effects and the parental values were of about the same magnitude as the heritabilities; those between the population means and the midparental values were slightly lower.Compared to the midparental values, most populations showed significant positive heterosis for date of emergence, haulm type, number of tubers and under water weight; all populations had significant negative heterosis for mean tuber weight and nearly all for plant height and general impression. All populations from groups TxT and AxA had significant negative heterosis for tuber yield and so had 13 out of the 20 populations from group AxT, while seven of the 12 from group TxA showed significant positive and four significant negative heterosis. The average heterosis for tuber yield of group TxT was –11%, of TxA 3.4%, of AxT–9% and of AxA–18%. The highest mean tuber yields were obtained from crosses with a very high yielding A-parent as female, while the heterosis was negative. Though significant differences between the 11 reciprocals occurred for all characters, consistent differences occurred only for tuber yield. Averaged over the 11 crosses the TxA populations outyielded their exact reciprocals by 10.7%. For the highest tuber yields in A-T crosses, therefore, the tuberosum cytoplasm seems to be preferable. By contrast for a high male fertility the andigena cytoplasm is preferable.     

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.     

Heterosis breeding in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern & Coss): Analysis of component characters contributing to heterosis for yield

Summary Divergence of 25 accessions of Brassica juncea of Indian, CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States, former USSR) and synthetic origin was studied by D² analysis. On the basis of divergence, ten accessions were selected and crossed in a diallel fashion without reciprocals to study the combining ability and heterosis. None of the accessions was found to be a good general combiner for all the nine quantitative characters that were studied. Significant heterosis over better parent for single plant yield was recorded in CIS x Indian and synthetic x CIS crosses (5 each) followed by Indian x synthetic types (3). The analysis of component characters showed that the mean performance of the majority of hybrids was intermediate for five out of six yield attributing traits, thus exhibiting dominance or partial dominance effect. To estimate the contribution of such yield attributing traits towards heterosis for yield, a comparison was made among three parameters viz. heterosis over mid parent (MP), better parent (BP) and better yielding parent (BYP) of the concerned hybrid. It was observed that estimation of heterosis from BYP was a more accurate method to determine the contribution of component characters towards yield heterosis than the analysis based on MP and BP. From the component character analysis, it was concluded that characters like number of primary and secondary branches, number of siliqua per plant and siliqua density contributed significantly towards heterosis in yield. Plot level yield trials of two selected hybrids (Skorospieka II x RH30 and Donskaja IV x Varuna) over two growing seasons revealed 29.4 to 91.8% heterosis over BYP.     

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。     

我国北方不同年代玉米杂交种产量及穗部性状的遗传增益

以北方地区不同年代有代表性的玉米杂交种及其亲本为试材,对产量杂种优势的遗传增益及穗部性状杂种优势变化进行探讨.结果表明:(1)随着品种更替产量逐年提高;(2)各穗部性状随年代的推移都有不同程度的改良,单产的提高是各穗部性状协同作用的结果;(3)穗粗和籽粒深度是1990年以后杂交种产量增长的主要遗传增益;(4)产量的增长与杂种优势增加并不一致.     

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.     

Studies on genetic divergence in potato

Summary Sixty-seven potato varieties/hybrids were grouped in 15 clusters on the basis of D² values. The clustering pattern was not influenced by the geographic diversity of the varieties. However, a segregation between varieties of the Tuberosum and Andigena type varieties was observed. The exotic potato varieties and also the Indian varieties bred from Tuberosums showed a poor divergence. In contrast, the divergence in the varieties developed from Tuberosum-Andigena crosses was much greater. The inter-cluster distance of such varieties, with respect to Tuberosum and Andigena clusters, appeared to be influenced by the cytoplasm they carried. The varieties with Tuberosum cytoplasm were closer to clusters having Tuberosum varieties and those with Andigena cytoplasm were closer to clusters having Andigena type varieties. The characters least influenced by the selection during the course of evolution of the present day varieties were found to be mainly responsible for adding divergence to the population. A breeding plan involving varieties from different clusters has been outlined.     

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.     

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.     

Heterosis in landrace-based topcross hybrids of pearl millet across arid environments

This study quantified the magnitude of heterosis in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) topcross hybrids produced by crossing 16 diverse landraces and three high yielding open-pollinating varieties on two homozygous male-sterile lines. Hybrids and pollinators were grown in 12 year ×;location combinations in India that were grouped into three zones. Genetic components of variance quantifying the differences among these hybrids were estimated. The hybrids showed a conspicuous heterosis for grain yield, earliness and biomass yield but not for straw yield. The level and direction of heterosis for time to flowering depended strongly on the earliness of the male-sterile line. In the terminal drought stress zone hybrids made on the early maturing male-sterile line 843A had the highest level of heterosis for grain yield (88%). This was partly due to escape from terminal stress. In the other two zones the heterosis for grain yield was on average 30%. Heterosis for biomass yield and biomass yield per day was on average also positive in all three zones. For all traits, except time to flowering and biomass yield per day, pollinator effects were the only significant source of variation. Differences between hybrids were mostly caused by additive genetic effects. Significant amount of heterosis observed in landrace-based topcross hybrids for grain yield and other productivity-related traits suggested that substantial improvement in pearl millet productivity in and environments can be obtained by topcrossing locally adapted landraces on suitable male-sterile lines. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Genetic diversity for RAPD markers between cultivated and wild accessions of Coffea arabica

Summary Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers have been successfully employed to analyse the genetic diversity among cultivated and subspontaneous accessions of Coffea arabica. The narrow genetic base of commercial cultivars was confirmed. On the other hand, a relatively large genetic diversity was observed within the germplasm collection demonstrating the importance of collecting missions. Results suggested an East-West differentiation in Ethiopia, the primary centre of diversification of C. arabica. The large heterosis effect reported in intergroup hybrids could be related to such genetic differentiation. RAPD method appeared to be effective in resolving genetic variations and in grouping germplasm in C. arabica.     

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。     

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.     

大豆亲本间遗传距离与杂种优势的相关性研究

为提高杂交育种效率,有必要对杂种优势预测进行探索。本研究选用国内外不同地区10份材料,按NCⅡ不完全双列杂交法组配45个杂交组合,利用SSR分子标记遗传距离预测大豆亲本间杂种优势。结果表明：10份亲本中检测到417个多态性等位基因变异,多态性位点变化范围为2~5个,遗传相似系数(GS)变幅为0.520~0.695,平均GS值为0.5996。10份供试材料被分为两大类,F₁杂种优势值从3.4%~42.1%,F₁性状均具有不同程度正向杂种优势。其中,单株粒数杂种优势与遗传距离的相关系数为0.461,达显著水平。其余8个农艺、品质性状与遗传距离的相关系数未达显著水平。初步认为,利用该174个SSR分子标记检测亲本间遗传差异,对本研究10份大豆亲本间杂种优势预测效果不显著。利用分子标记遗传距离预测大豆亲本杂种优势的方法有待进一步研究。     

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.     

西南骨干玉米自交系主要农艺性状和产量正反交杂优效应分析

为了比较玉米自交系主要农艺性状和产量的正反交杂优效应,以9份西南地区骨干玉米自交系组配的72份单交种为材料,采用随机区组试验,对自交系及其正反交杂种F1代主要农艺性状和产量进行比较研究。结果表明,正反交效应对不同玉米自交系杂种F1代主要农艺性状和产量的影响不同;T检测表明,大多数玉米自交系正反交杂种F1代主要农艺性状和产量差异不显著。玉米自交系海9-21、5003、478正反交杂种F1代在穗粗、百粒重、单穗粒重、穗下茎节强度及穗位高等性状上差异显著或极显著。由此得出,不同自交系正反交杂种F1代在主要农艺性状和产量上具有不同的杂种优势,其中穗位高/株高具有负向杂种优势。由于玉米穗位高/株高具有负向杂种优势,即杂种F1代穗位高/株高值较自交系有所降低,因此在自交系选育时,不宜对亲本材料过分追求低的穗位高/株高。