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Heterosis and combining ability in hybrids of Avena sativa L. and A. byzantina C. Koch.

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

G. Jenkins
G. Jenkins
Affiliation:
Plant Breeding Institute, Cambridge
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Summary

Three varieties of Avena byzantina C. Koch., Sierra, Avon and Anita, originating respectively in California, Australia and South Africa, together with the Dutch variety Condor (A. sativa L.) were used as ‘subject’ varieties in crosses with a range of nine tester varieties of mainly north-west European origin. The results of a yield trial of spaced F1 transplants and a drilled F2 trial are presented.

In the F1 trial there was marked heterosis for grain yield, the thirty-six crosses yielding, on average, 109 % of the higher yielding parent, with individual cross values ranging from 68 to 139%. Heterosis was more marked in sativa × byzantina crosses than in sativa × sativa crosses and the variety Sierra showed particularly high general combining ability. In the F2 trial, heterosis was considerably reduced and the thirty-six crosses yielded, on average, only 96% of the higher yielding parent. In some F1 crosses, heterosis for grain yield was accompanied by transgression of the higher yielding parent in number of panicles per unit area. The number of grains per panicle was positively correlated with grain yield in the F2 trial but no heterosis was observed for this component. Grain size was negatively correlated with yield in the F2 trial and heterosis for this component was observed in a few crosses in which yield heterosis occurred.

Straw height was positively correlated with grain yield in the F1 trial but negatively correlated in the F2 trial. Crosses showing heterosis for yield exceeded the mid-parent but not the taller parent in straw height. The ratio of grain yield to straw yield was higher for the progenies of the byzantina varieties Sierra and Avon than for the progenies of the sativa subject Condor. Grain yield was positively correlated with number of days to 50% panicle emergence in both trials.

It is concluded that the A. byzantina varieties Sierra and Avon could, with advantage, be used for hybridization with adapted genotypes of A. sativa, thereby enlarging the gene pool available to oat breeders in north-west Europe.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 72 , Issue 1 , January 1969 , pp. 85 - 92
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1969

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References

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