Heterosis and genetic distance in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.): crosses between European and Asiatic selfed lines

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Different types of F1 hybrids from the same and different geographic origins were studied. European and Asiatic inbred lines were hand crossed in three ways: a diallel design among European lines (European group), a diallel design among Asiatic lines (Asiatic group), and a factorial design between European and Asiatic lines (mixed group). Selfed lines and F1 hybrids of each group have been tested in the field at a normal seeding rate (4 kg/ha) in replicated trials. The experiment has been conducted over 2 years in two localities. Mixed group F1 hybrids were taller and more productive in seed yield than both European and Asiatic ones. For flowering, they were intermediate between both parents and close to the check Bienvenu. Variability was not organized the same way among the three groups. It was mainly additive for hybrids from lines of the same geographic origin (either European or Asiatic). However, specific effects, as great as the parental ones, occurred for hybrids from lines of different origins. Moreover, variability revealed for parental effects was greater within both European and Asiatic groups than in the mixed one. Key words: heterosis, genetic distance, geographic origin, genetic parameters, Brassica napus L.