Combining Ability and Breeding Potential of Rapeseed Elite Lines for Pod Shatter Resistance

Pod shatter resistance of rapeseed is of great importance for modern farming practice. In order to determine the combining ability of elite inbred lines and the breeding potential of rapeseed hybrids in terms of pod shatter resistance, analysis of a 6×6 incomplete diallel cross was conducted at two locations. Results showed that a significant variation existed among breeding lines and their F1 hybrids for pod shatter resistant index (SRI), pod length and width. Pod shatter resistance was significantly positively correlated with pod length. The general combining ability (GCA) effects (GCA=1.58) played a more important role than specific combining ability (SCA) effects (SCA=0.20) for pod shatter trait. The elite lines R1, 1019B and 1055B displayed significant positive GCA effects for pod shatter resistance. Four crosses (1019B×R1, 1015B×R1, 6098B×R1, and 8908B×R1) with high mean performance and positive SCA effects were recommended for developing new hybrids for mechanical harvest in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River.