Abstract
In the years 1952—56 the present author allowed different beet strains at the Gullåker Plant Breeding Institute to hybridize. In the years 1953—57 these hybrids were compared in trials with regard to their yield performance and some other practical features with the parents. Altogether 34 hybrids were compared in 138 comparisons with the parents. The progeny generations gave on an average smaller root and dry matter yields than the parents. The dry matter percentage was lower in the progeny generation than in the parental generation. The roots were not much more branched in the progeny generation than in the parental generation. The position of the roots in the soil and the form of the roots were not negatively influenced by crossing. Nor was the percentage of bolters larger than in the parental generation. The hybrids in which more than three strains were involved showed a tendency to give larger root yields than the strains in which only two strains were crossed. A corresponding increase in dry matter was not obtained. Considerable differences were found in the combining abilities between different types and strains and it seems to be possible to find combinations which have better yield performances than the parents. The consequence of crossing for the seed testing in field is discussed.
Highlights
On the basis of these comparisons it may be assumed that the yield performance, especially the dry matter yield, in the present material has been smaller, than in the parents
The greatest disadvantages as regard the Fj-generation have been the facts that in the actual material the percentages of bolters and crosses have been much higher than in the Regeneration. These results indicate that the greatest possibilities for getting favourable combinations in the present material seem to be found in the group of Barres strains, the best generation appearing to be the first progeny generation ; and that possibly a larger number of strains involved than three is somewhat more favourable than only two or three strains
In the years 1953—57 these hybrids were compared in trials with regard to their yield performance and some other practical features with the parents
Summary
In a number of cultivated plant species hybrids have been produced of value to pracitical cultivation during the last decades. These observations are in full agreement with the observations published by Stewart, Gaskill and Coons [11], Doxtator and Skuderna [2], Sedlmayr [9] and Boon [1] Under these circumstances the author found it to be of value to ascertain to what extent this heterosis can be exploited without using male-sterile material in bulk crossing between different fodder and fodder sugar-beet strains. The use of male-sterile material would naturally have been still more interesting and a step closer to the practical realization of the hybrid-seed production and usage This would, have proved much more expensive in terms of time, money and work than the present investigation, which is performed with marketed strains. The possibilities of using the polycross method in beet breeding is investigated [1] and the exploitation of heterosis is discussed [13]
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