Correlated response to recurrent selection for groat-oil content in oats

Summary One hundred random oat (Avena sativa L.) lines from a base (C₀) and each of three populations (C₁, C₂, and C₃) improved for groat (caryopsis) oil content by phenotypic recurrent selection were evaluated for correlated changes in several unselected agronomic traits. In addition, the parents of the base population and four check varieties were evaluated for the same traits. Phenotypic recurrent selection for high groat-oil content resulted in no significant correlated response in mean expression of any trait. Mean grain yield, biomass, groat yield, and harvest index of the improved populations were equal or superior to the mean of the parents and, with the exception of harvest index, equivalent to the mean of the check varieties. Mean test weight and seed weight of all populations were lower than for parents or check varieties. Selection for high groat-oil content caused a decline in genotypic variance for test weight and groat fraction, but reductions in genotypic variance for heading date and plant height may have resulted from culling for good agronomic type. Broad-sense heritability remained moderate to high for all traits except groat fraction. Phenotypic and genotypic correlation coefficients revealed negative, though mostly nonsignificant, relationships between groat-oil content and several traits, which may reflect a purported bioenergetic limitation to increasing groat-oil content in oats. Oil yield, however, was positively correlated with grain and groat yield, groat fraction, biomass, and harvest index. Results suggest that development of high-oil oat cultivars with current levels of production traits via phenotypic recurrent selection is possible.Journal Paper no. J-13038 of the Iowa Agric. and Home Econ. Exp. Stn., Ames, IA 50011. Project 2447.     

Correlated responses of fatty acid composition, grain quality, and agronomic traits to nine cycles of recurrent selection for increased oil content in oat

Increases in the groat-oil content of oat (Avena sativa L.) increase the energy value of the grain and improve the feasibility of extracting oat oil for use as a vegetable oil. Nine cycles of recurrent selection for greater groat-oil content conducted in a genetically broad-based oat population resulted in dramatic increases in groat-oil content. Our objectives were todetermine if selection for greater groat-oil content affected fatty acid composition, grain quality traits (test weight and seed weight), or agronomic traits (straw yield, biomass, harvest index, heading date, and height). We evaluated 100 random lines from the base (C0) population and each of the nine selection cycle populations in three environments in order to estimate means, genetic variances, heritabilities, and genotypic and phenotypic correlations of grain quality and agronomic traits. We also evaluated 20 random lines from each population to estimate changes in fatty acid contents. Oleate and stearate contents increased over cycles of selection, as did the ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids. Palmitate, linoleate, and linolenate contents and all grain quality and agronomic traits except harvest index decreased over cycles of selection. There was no evidence for reduced genetic variance or heritability in C9 for any trait, but the genotypic and phenotypic correlations between agronomic traits and oil content fluctuated over cycles. Selection for increased groat-oil content improved oil quality but reduced grain quality and agronomic performance of the population. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Inheritance of groat-oil content and high-oil selection in oats (Avena sativa L.)

Summary The potential for breeding for high groat-oil content in oats was investigated by (a) conducting generation means analyses on data from three matings among adapted Avena sativa L. cultivars, (b) practicing one cycle of phenotypic recurrent selection in a segregating population derived from eight species backcrosses (Avena sativa x (A. sativa x A. sterilis)) among 24 parents, and (c) identifying transgressive segregates from interspecific (A. sativa x A. sterilis) matings.Additive gene action was the most important component in explaining the variation among generation means for groat-oil content. Dominance and epistatic interactions involving dominance were not significant in any mating. Significant residual genetic variation occurred in one mating, even after additive, dominance, and three digenic interactions were fitted. The importance of additive genes action implies that desired allelic combinations for high groat-oil content can be obtained in pure-line cultivars.One cycle of phenotypic recurrent selection using single plants as the selection units resulted in a genetic gain of 1.7 to 2.1% in groat-oil content. Individual plants selected for initiating the second cycle had from 9.5 to 12.6% groat oil.Over all 12 interspecific matings, the F₂ progeny means were similar to the midparent values. Only two were significantly deviant. Transgressive segregates for high and low groat-oil content from these matings provided evidence that A. sterilis possesses alleles for high and low groat-oil content that are different from those in the gene pool of cultivated oats.Journal Paper No. J-11340 of the Iowa Agric. and Home ECon. Exp. Stn., Ames, Iowa 50011. Project 2447. This study was supported in parts by grants from the Iowa Committee for Agricultural Development and the International Harvester Company.     

Changes in morphological and physiological traits associated with recurrent selection for grain yield in maize

Summary Experiments were conducted during the growing seasons of 1975 and 1976 to determine changes in morphological and physiological traits associated with recurrent selection for grain yield in maize (Zea mays L.). Four variety hybrids, BSSS(R)CO x BSCB1(R)CO, BSSS(R)C7 x BSCB1(R)C7 [from a reciprocal recurrent selection program involving Iowa Stiff Stalk Synthetic (BSSS) and Iowa Corn Borer Synthetic #1 (BSCB1)], BS12CO x B14A, and BS12C6 x B14A [from a half-sib selection program involving the open-pollinated variety Alph (BS12) and the inbred tester B14A] were grown at 59 300 and 98 800 plants/ha near Ames, Iowa We obtained data on CO₂-exchange rate (an estimate of photosynthetic rate), grain yield, grain-yield components, flowering dates, maturity traits, light interception and use, shelling percentage, harvest index, and various other plant traits.CO₂-exchange rate did not change appreciably with recurrent selection for yield. Grain yield per hectare and per plant were larger for the improved than unimproved hybrids. Grain-yield components did not change significantly with recurrent selection. Kernel weight of BSSS(R)C7 x BSCB1 (R)C7, however, was larger than that of BSSS(R)C0 x BSCB1(R)C0. Pollen-shed-to-silking interval was shorter for the improved than the unimproved hybrids, and grain-filling duration was longer in C7 x C7 than in C₀ x C₀ of the reciprocal recurrent selection program. Furthermore, improved hybrids were characterized by smaller tassels and more upright canopies. Usually, plant traits and leaf-area-related traits were similar for all hybiids.Although dry-matter productivity was similar for all hybrids, those that were improved by recurrent selection produced more grain per unit leaf area and per unit light interception. Also, BS12C6 x B14A was characterized by a higher harvest index than BS12CO x B14A.We concluded that the source (i.e., photosynthetic capacity) was not limiting grain yield in BSSS(R) x BSCB1(R) and BS12. Increased grain yields that resulted from recurrent selection were consequences of longer grain-filling duration for BSSS(R) x BSCB1(R) and increased translocation of photosynthate from source to sink for both BSSS(R) x BSCB1(R) and BS12.Journal Paper J-8953 of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Exp. Stn., Ames, Iowa. Project No. 2152.     

Continued response through seven cycles of recurrent selection for grain yield in oat (Avena sativa L.)

Long-term selection experiments provide germplasm to study the effects of selection in a closed population. Recurrent selection to enhance grain yield in oat has been ongoing at the University of Minnesota since 1968. The objectives of this study were: (i) estimate the GCA and SCA effects for three agronomic traits in the seventh cycle of selection, (ii) assess the effect of the current methods of selection on parental contribution and unselected traits, and (iii) determine the direct and indirect responses to seven cycles of recurrent selection for grain yield. Progeny of the Cycle 6 parents and parents for Cycles 0 through 7 were grown in two separate tests. Grain yield, heading date and plant height were evaluated in each test. Grain yield was increased by 21.7% after seven cycles of selection. Evaluation of Cycle 6 progeny showed that GCA effects were significant for all three traits studied, and SCA effects were significant only for grain yield. Four Cycle 6 parents did not have any progeny selected as Cycle 7 parents. Results from this study indicate that long term recurrent selection has continued to increase grain yield. Alternative selection strategies may be necessary to maintain the genetic variability in this population, particularly when improvement of secondary traits is required. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Direct and correlated responses to three S1-recurrent selection strategies for increasing protein yield in oat

Summary The objectives of this study were to evaluate the efficacy of S₁-recurrent selection for increasing groat (caryopsis)-protein yield in oat (Avena sativa L.) and to compare the effects of three selection strategies on correlated responses in groat yield and groat-protein concentration. Three S₁-recurrent selection programs were conducted for five cycles. Selection criteria in each program (line of descent) emphasized different components of protein yield; high grain yield in HG, both high grain yield and high groat-protein concentration in HP, and protein yield per se in HGP. Thirty to sixty random S₀-derived lines from each cycle and ten check lines were evaluated in one year at two locations to estimate the response to selection. Groat-protein yield increased 4.4% cycle^-1 in HG, 3.4% cycle^-1 in HP, and 2.2% cycle^-1 in HGP. Gains in groat yield were 7% cycle^-1 in HG, 1% cycle^-1 in HP, and 3% cycle^-1 in HGP. Mean groat-protein yield and groat yield in the cycle 5 (C5) populations of all three lines of descent were equal to or slightly higher than those of high yielding cultivars. The HG line of descent showed a significant decrease from 193 to 175 g kg^-1 groat protein, while the HP line of descent showed a significant increase from 202 to 218 g kg^-1. The HGP line of descent showed a small but significant decline in groat protein from 200 to 192 g kg^-1. In comparison, the high-protein commercial cultivars contained about 210 g kg^-1 groat protein. The C5 population of the HP line of descent had a unique combination of high groat yield and high groat-protein concentration. Genotypic variances for groat-protein yield, groat yield, and groat-protein concentration were not always significant in the various cycles of the three lines of descent, but in no instance was there a consistent change from C0 to C5. S₁-recurrent selection was effective for increasing groat-protein yield of oat, and with the proper germplasm and selection strategy both groat yield and groat-protein concentration can be improved simultaneously.Abbreviations C - cycle - GPC - groat-protein concentration (a groat is the part of an oat grain that is the actual seed or caryopsis, rather than the hull) - GPY - groat-protein yield - GTY - groat yield - HG - selection for protein yield through high grain yield - HGP - selection for protein yield per se - HP - selection for protein yield through high grain yield and high protein concentration Journal Paper No. J-15287 of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, Ames, IA 50011, USA. Project No. 2447.     

A recurrent selection programme for grain yield in winter barley

Summary The effect of a recurrent selection procedure was evaluated in a winter barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) population. Cycle zero (C₀) was initiated by crossing six high yielding winter barley cultivars with the short straw cv Onice. The F₁'s were crossed according to a diallel scheme without reciprocals. A total of 750 S₀ plants were derived and evaluated; 329 S₀ plants were selected and their progenies (S₁ lines) tested. Fifteen S₁ lines were chosen and used as parents of cycle 1 (C₁), by producing 105 F₁ hybrids which simulated a random mating offspring. One hundred and three randomly chosen S₁ lines belonging to C₀, and 103 S₁ lines belonging to C₁, were evaluated at two locations.For grain yield a significant difference between cycles was observed. From C₀ to C₁ the grain yield increased with 307 g/m². This increase was due to a higher number of seeds per m². For plant height, heading date and 100-kernel weight no differences between cycles were observed.The positive results obtained in this study indicate the potential usefulness of recurrent selection for developing parents or lines superior for grain yield, with little change in other important agronomic traits.     

Phenotypic recurrent selection for oil content in East Indian lemongrass

Summary Phenotypic recurrent selection was carried out for oil content in East Indian lemongrass, Cymbopogon flexuosus (Steud) Wats. In each cycle, the top 5% of plants for oil content were selected. Their ramets were used for the establishment of replicated polycross blocks in isolation. Realized gains from selection were determined by evaluating the populations and the best clones from each population in separate two-year replicated trials. Three cycles of recurrent selection increased oil content by 32% per cycle at the population level. Realized gains from selection were slightly smaller or similar to predicted gains. Mean realized heritability for oil content was 0.56. At the clonal level, the best C₁ and the best C₂ clones had, respectively, a 22% and 73% higher oil content than the best clone from the base population (C₀). Selection for oil content did not adversely affect leaf yield, dry matter content or citral content in oil. Probable reasons for the high response to selection are mentioned.     

Oil content, tocopherol composition and fatty acid patterns of the seeds of 51 Cannabis sativa L. genotypes

The oil content, the tocopherol composition, the plastochromanol-8 (P-8) content and the fatty acid composition (19 fatty acids) of the seed of 51 hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) genotypes were studied in the 2000 and 2001 seasons. The oil content of the hemp seed ranged from 26.25% (w/w) to 37.50%. Analysis of variance revealed significant effects of genotype, year and of the interaction (genotype × year) on the oil content. The oil contents of the 51 genotypes in 2000 and 2001 were correlated (r = 0.37**) and averaged 33.19 ± 1.45% in 2000 and 31.21 ± 0.96% in 2001. The -tocopherol, -tocopherol, -tocopherol, P-8- and -tocopherol contents of the 51 genotypes averaged 21.68 ± 3.19, 1.82 ± 0.49, 1.20 ± 0.40, 0.18 ± 0.07 and 0.16 ± 0.04 mg 100g^–1 of seeds, respectively (2000 and 2001 data pooled). Hierarchical clustering of the fatty acid data did not group the hemp genotypes according to their geographic origin. The -linolenic acid yield of hemp (3–30 kg ha^–1) was similar to the -linolenic acid yield of plant species that are currently used as sources of -linolenic acid (borage (19–30 kg ha^–1), evening primrose (7–30 kg ha^–1)). The linoleic acid yield of hemp (129–326 kg ha^–1) was similar to flax (102–250 kg ha^–1), but less than in sunflower (868–1320 kg ha^–1). Significant positive correlations were detected between some fatty acids and some tocopherols. Even though the average content of P-8 in hemp seeds was only 1/120^th of the average -tocopherol content, P-8 content was more closely correlated with the unsaturated fatty acid content than -tocopherol or any other tocopherol fraction. The average broad-sense heritabilities of the oil content, the antioxidants (tocopherols and P-8) and the fatty acids were 0.53, 0.14 and 0.23, respectively. The genotypes Fibrimon 56, P57, Juso 31, GB29, Beniko, P60, FxT, Félina 34, Ramo and GB18 were capable of producing the largest amounts of high quality hemp oil.     

Grain-yield characteristics of oat lines surviving uniform and shuttle selection strategies

Summary Four selection strategies were used on four sets of oat lines to select for grain yield. Two of these used uniform environments whereby sequential selection of the high-yielding lines occurred in continuous high- or continuous low-productivity environments. These are referred to as high and low uniform selection strategies, respectively. The other two selection strategies were conducted by sequential selection of the high-yielding lines in alternating high- and low-productivity environments. They are referred to as high and low shuttle selection strategies, respectively, with high and low designating the productivity of the first environment in the sequence. After three or four cycles of selection, the surviving lines and a random sample from each set were evaluated for mean grain yield, grain yield response to improving environments, and stability of grain yield, in a range of environments typical of oat production on Iowa farms.Grain yield and regression response for all selection strategies, when calculated across all sets of lines, were significantly greater than corresponding values for random samples. Stability was unchanged. The uniform-high and uniform-low strategies gave the greatest and the smallest gains in mean grain yield, respectively, with the shuttle strategies giving intermediate gains. Shuttle selection in predominantly high-productivity environments increased grain yield more than shuttle selection in predominantly low-productivity environments. The uniform-strategy followed by the shuttle-high strategy identified entries with superior performance in high productivity environments. Increased gain in mean grain yield across all environments was associated with increased number of selection cycles conducted in high-productivity environments.Journal Paper No. J-15252 of the Iowa Agric. and Home Econ. Exp. Stn., Ames, Iowa 50011, USA. Project No. 2447.     

Changes in genetic diversity during seven cycles of recurrent selection for grainyield in oat, Avena sativa L.

Variability for desirable alleles within elite breeding populations is a requirement for long-term genetic improvement. Changes in genetic diversity were evaluated in a recurrent selection programme for enhanced grain yield in oat, Avena sativa L., using coefficient of parentage (r_p) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) based genetic similarity (S) estimates. Both r_p and s increased during seven cycles of recurrent selection, indicating a reduction in the level of genetic diversity within the population. The relationship between genetic diversity and agronomic performance was also examined. Genetic similarity measures were poor predictors of the near-homozygous progeny performance and general and specific combining ability effects for three agronomic traits in the recurrent selection programme. In addition, there was no apparent trend for preferential selection of progeny from either more similar or more diverse parents within a given cycle of selection. The overall reduction in genetic diversity in this population has not affected selection response for grain yield. Variability remaining at important loci or de novo variation are possible explanations for the continued selection progress.     

Molecular mapping and identification of QTL's associated to oat crown rust partial resistance

Summary Molecular mapping is a promising strategy for studying and understanding traits with complex genetic control, such as partial resistance to oat crown rust. The objectives of this research were to develop molecular maps from the progenies of the cross UFRGS7 (susceptible) × UFRGS910906 (partially resistant) and to identify QTLs (quantitative trait loci) associated to partial resistance to oat crown rust in two generations of that population.DNA of 86 genotypes of the F₂ and 90 genotypes of the F₆ UFRGS7 × UFRGS910906 population were used to generate AFLP markers. Molecular maps were constructed using Mapmaker Exp. 3.0 and QTLs for partial resistance to oat crown rust were identified with Mapmaker/QTL software. Five hundred and fifty seven markers in the F₂ and 243 markers in the F₆ generations were identified. The F₂ map integrated 250 markers in 37 linkage groups. The F₆ map integrated 86 markers in 17 linkage groups.Five QTLs were identified for partial resistance to oat crown rust in the F₂ generation and three QTLs in the F₆. The QTL identified on F₆ through the PaaaMctt340 AFLP marker showed consistency across two environments and two generations (F₄ and F₆), and appear to have potential for marker-assisted selection in oat.     

Effects of recurrent selection for grain yield on plant and ear traits of five maize populations

Summary Maize (Zea mays L.) breeders are interested in the effects of recurrent selection for grain yield on other traits. Changes in plant traits could alter agronomic acceptability of the populations under selection, and observed improvements in grain yield could be explained by changes in ear traits. We evaluated changes in combining ability for plant and ear traits of BS10(FR), BS11(FR), BSSS(R), BSCB1(R), and Lancaster Surecrop associated with recurrent selection for grain yield.Recurrent selection procedures generally did not change plant and ear heights or date of silking of testcrosses of populations or of the population crosses, BS10(FR)×BSS11(FR) and BSSS(R)×BSCB1(R). Grain yield improvements, however, were associated with increases in ear-sink size.Journal Paper No. J 9517 of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Exp. Stn., Ames, Iowa. Project 2152.     

Reciprocal recurrent selection for multitrait indices in maize

Summary Reciprocal recurrent selection was carried out with two populations of maize (Zea mays L.) having good combining ability. We selected for higher grain yield, early maturity, shorter plant height and lodging resistance. Two cycles were completed in two years (four seasons), by resorting to late planting of S1 lines for recombination in the main season in which top-cross families were assessed. Top-crosses and selfings were made in the off-season. The original and improved versions of the populations and their crosses were evaluated in multilocation trials. The superiority of the population hybrid was 10.3% for grain yield, 5.5% for plant height and 1.8 days to silk. The improved hybrid had delayed leaf senescence and better resistance to lodging and post-flowering stalk rots. Among the yield components, only ear girth showed improvement. Syn 2 of the improved population cross showed a yield reduction of 6.2% in comparison to Syn 1. Intrapopulation gains were not significant except for lodging resistance in one population.     

Survey of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) germplasm for variants in fatty acid composition and other seed characters

Summary Two hundred safflower accessions, originated in 37 countries, and multiplied in two environments, were evaluated for fatty acid composition of the seed oil and other seed characters. Overall mean values of stearic and palmitic acids were similar in both environments but differed for seed weight and oil content. Oleic and linoleic acids showed also similar overall mean content in both environments but some entries with intermediate contents of these acids displayed significant variation among environments. Oleic and linoleic acids showed a tremendous range of variation, from 3.1 to 90.60% and from 3.9 to 88.8%, respectively. The ranges of variation observed for stearic, oleic and linoleic acids indicate that all the reccessive genes, already discovered, controlling high content of these acids, st, ol and li, are present in the collection. Moreover, the upper values of oleic, ten points higher than the published values for the high oleic genotype olol, suggest than other genes controlling such levels may be present.     

Productive oat ideotype for northern growing conditions

Summary Yield formation of four Finnish and three Nordic oat varieties and 12 breeding lines developed at the Hankkija Plant Breeding Institute was studied during four different growing seasons (1986–1989). Seventeen characteristics were measured, including traits representing the date of maturity and architecture of the oat stand. The variation between genotypes in the examined traits was studied by means of two-way analysis of variance. The relationship between grain yield and morpho-physiological traits was studied by means of simple correlation analysis and stepwise regression analysis.The present study, carried out in highly dissimilar growing seasons, showed that ideotype breeding in the northern growing areas is likely to be successful only in moderate to optimal growing conditions. Based on the findings of this study, a productive oat ideotype for northern cultivation is composed of traits such as early maturation, high phytomass production with a high panicle weight resulting from a large number of grains. short straw length (high resistance to lodging), and reduced tillering. The importance of other factors influencing oat breeding in northern growing conditions is discussed.     

Use of index selection in recurrent selection programs in maize

Summary Phenotypic and genotypic correlations were examined for four traits in seven populations of maize (Zea mays L.) undergoing recurrent selection. Correlations among grain yield and percentage of grain moisture, root lodging, and stalk lodging were low (|r|<0.3) except for the correlation between grain yield and stalk lodging, which was high and negative. The phenotypic and genotypic correlations agreed well from cycle to cycle within populations. Variation of correlations among populations was not significantly larger than variation among cycles. Heritabilities of these traits generally were high (h²>0.5). Two indices, one that used heritabilities as index weights and one that used relative economic weights (base index) as index weights, were compared with the Smith-Hazel index (optimim index). Relative efficiencies of the two indices, in terms of predicted gains for the individual traits and the composite trait, compared with the Smith-Hazel index, were high. The use of an index in which heritabilities were used as index weights was recommended because:1) the heritabilities were the same as the optimum weights when the traits were uncorrelated, and for the data examined the correlations were low; and 2) heritabilities were computed in routine data analyses and were available at no additional cost.Joint contribution: USDA-SEA-AR and Journal Paper No. 10152 of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Exp. Stn., Ames, Iowa. Project 2194.     

Pure line selection for improved yield, oil content and different fatty acid composition of sesame, Sesamum indicum

The aims of this study were estimation of the variability of seed yield, oil content, oleic acid and linoleic acid content in single plant progenies and lines derived from Turkish sesame populations, and the improvement of different type lines with regard to high seed yield, high oil content and specific fatty acid composition. Different types of lines were developed—i.e. lines which yielded over 1000 kg seeds/ha from the yield type progenies and lines which yielded over 63% of oil content from oil type progenies—but it was not possible to improve lines where fatty acid composition differed dramatically from that of oleic and linoleic type progenies.     

Compositional stability of an oat multiline

Summary Mixtures of genotypes are frequently unstable in composition when propagated over succesive generations. This study was designed to test whether a multiline cultivar of oats (Avena sativa L.) created to control crown rust disease (caused by Puccinia coronata Cda.) would reflect differential near-isogenic line survivals when propagated under conditions of either presence or absence of rust. An oat multiline cultivar synthesized from near-isogenic lines that had different genes for resistance to crown rust was propagated under rust-free and rust epiphytotic conditions for four successive generations. In the rust-free environment, one near-isogenic line. CI 9192, which was inferior in yielding ability, was reduced significantly from 20% to 10% of the mixture, and CI 9184, which has no yield deviation from normal, increased from 20% to 38%. The other three near-isogenic lines were stable at about 20%. Also, in the rust line of descent. CI 9192 and CI 9184, respectively, decreased and increased significantly.Our results have implications with respect to seed production practices for multiline cultivars: they also raise the question of whether a multiline is stable enough in composition to be called a cultivar.Journal Paper No. J-10027 from the Iowa Agric. and Home Econ. Exp. Sta., Ames, IA 50011. Project 1752. Research supported in part by a grant from the Committee for Agricultural Development, Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA, USA.     

Genetic interrelations among grain quality indicators and agronomic traits for oat

Summary Test weight, seed weight, and groat percentage are three common measures of grain quality for oat (Avena sativa L.). There is considerable disagreement, however, about the utility of each of these traits as measures of grain quality, so it is important to understand the genetic interrelations among them and between them and other agronomic traits. In this study, 50 random F2-derived F3 lines from each of 13 biparental oat crosses were evaluated. Genotypic variances, heritabilities, and genotypic correlations for test weight (TW), seed weight (SW), groat percentage (GP), grain yield (GY), harvest index (HI), plant height (PH), and date of heading (DH) were used to predict and compare direct and indirect gains from single-trait selection. Direct selection was always the most effective method for improving single traits; average predicted improvement of population means was 4% for TW, 10% for SW, 1% for GP, and 14% for GY when 10% selection intensity was applied. Genotypic correlation coefficients, averaged for all crosses, were 0.04 for TW with SW, 0.37 for TW with GP, -0.09 for SW with GP, and 0.29, 0.36, and 0.30 for GY with TW, SW, and GP, respectively. Thus, direct selection for TW, SW, or GP should not greatly affect the other two grain quality indicators. For the seven traits considered, there seemed to be no large advantage or disadvantage, in terms of correlated responses, associated with selection for any of the grain quality indicators.Contribution as Journal Paper No. J-14650 of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, Ames, Iowa. Project No. 2447.