The combining ability of self-pollinated lines of the red beet(Beta vulgaris L)

Abstract

The proper choice of starting material determines the results of the selection. If the starting forms of plants are not fit for crossing and do not match the goals set or the soil and climate conditions available, any selection work may prove futile. The creation of new starting material is based on the study of the existing varieties and the selection of the best biotypes, as well as the assessment of a set of biological and economically valuable parameters of breeding. Inbreeding is the most widely used method of obtaining new starting material, especially homozygous lines, and it plays a key role in heterosis selection programs for the majority of agricultural crops. The use of beet heterosis allows for a significant increase in homogeneity, quality, and marketability of the produce. In 2018-2020, nine samples of red beet starting material were assessed. Using the polycross methods, we assessed the general combining ability of self-pollinated red beet lines across the parameters determining the commercial properties of this root crop: the proportion of the root crop top in its diameter, the share of leaves in the plant biomass, and regularity of shape and marketability. The subject matter of this work is the lines of red beet with round root crops. Research material includes the raw data from field measurements and records. We used the Kestrel F1 hybrid variety released for Central Russia. Field tests were carried out using the uniform procedures set out by the All-Russian Horticultural Research Institute - a branch of the Federal Research Center for Horticulture from Moscow Oblast. At the experimental locations, we used the agricultural practices typical of the region. Using the properties - the small proportion of the root crop top (42.1-47%) and the share of leaves in the biomass (24.1-27.5%), high regularity of root crop shape (up to 85.6%), and marketability (88.3-95.9%) - we determined the following lines: 506 I2, 507 I2.