INHERITANCE OF YIELD AND OTHER QUANTITATIVE CHARACTERS IN BRASSICA NAPUS VAR. NAPOBRASSICA

Abstract

Highly significant positive heterosis was found for root length, diameter and fresh weight in F1 hybrids derived in a seven-parent diallel cross of commercially available cultivars of Brassica napus L. var. napobrassica Mill. Significant general combining ability and specific combining ability effects and a preponderance of additive gene action were also noted for root length, diameter and fresh weight. The inheritance of these three traits is thought to be conditioned by additivity at the majority of loci and partial dominance at the remaining ones. Heritability estimates ranged from 0% for dry matter to 26% for root diameter.