Parameter estimates from generation means in swedes (Brassica napus ssp. rapifera L.)

Abstract

From an experiment involving swede (Brassica napus ssp. rapifera L.) material resulting from a 4 × 4 diallel cross and a 4 × 9 factorial mating design better parent heterosis for dry matter and marketable yield was found in the majority of the hybrids. For breeders preference the better parent heterosis was not that pronounced and the majority of the hybrids were inferior when compared to their better parent. The generation means showed that models containing the mean, m, and the dominance parameter, h, generally resulted in the best fit. In some cases the additive parameter, d, improved the fit. In those cases, however, the additive parameter was substantially smaller than the dominance parameter. The probability of occurrence of recombinant inbred lines that outperform the source F1-hybrid was, with very few exceptions, found to be low. Implications for swede breeding are discussed.