title: Relationship between genetic distance and heterosis for yield and morphological traits in winter canola (Brassica napus L.).
abstract: Genetic distance among canola cultivars was estimated through multivariate analysis. Thirty cultivars from various sources were analyzed and clustered based upon five morphological characteristics and yield components-crown diameter, number of branches plant(-1), number of pods plant(-1), number of seeds pod(-1) and yield plant(-1) -and placed in three distinct clusters. Two cultivars from each cluster were selected as parents and 15 partial-diallel inter- and intra-cluster crosses were made between the six selected parents and evaluated at two locations in Michigan in 1990/1991. The association between genetic distance and mid-parent heterosis was investigated. The correlation between genetic distance and heterosis was positive and highly significant for seed yield, number of pods plant(-1), and number of seeds pod(-1). Clustering, based on yield and yield-component traits, demonstrated that inter-cluster heterosis was greater than intra-cluster heterosis in the majority of cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Michigan State University, 48824, East Lansing, MI, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: L O
authors.initials: LO
authors.lastname: Copeland
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Elias
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Kelly