Abstract
Heterosis is considered to be of little importance in soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) because the crop is produced as “pure‐line” cultivars or blends of inbred lines. The F1 generations Holladay/Hutcheson (Cross 1) and Brim/Boggs (Cross 2) were generated by hand pollinations. Inbred generations were generated by bulk selfing. The F1, F2, F3, F4, and F5 generations were yield‐tested in replicated bordered single row plots in multiple years and locations. The average yield of Cross 1 F1 was 16% greater than that of the highest‐yielding parent and the average yield of the Cross 2 F1 was 5% greater than the highest‐yielding parent. Cross 1 showed significant inbreeding depression when regressed on percentage inbreeding which is clear evidence of dominance for yield. Possible genetic bases for heterosis in soybean include gene complementation or interaction of duplicate favorable loci in repulsion, linked dominant alleles that are inherited as a unit, a greater number of dominant alleles in the F1 than either parent separately, multiple dosage‐dependant regulatory loci, and/or overdominance. The existence of heterosis should be evidence that superior gene combinations are possible. The magnitude of yield heterosis may be a useful criterion for selection among biparental crosses.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
