Evaluation of Genetic Diversity and Performance of the Inbred Lines Derived from B. Napus x B. Rapa Interspecific Crosses and Their Test Hybrids

• Author / Creator

  Habibi, Gholamreza

• ABSTRACTSpring Brassica napus L. canola (AACC, 2n = 38) is the second most important crop in Canada. Genetic diversity in this crop is narrow; therefore, broadening of the genetic base of this crop is needed for continued improvement through breeding. For this, the exotic gene pools of this species, such as winter and semi-winter type, as well as the wide diversity exist in its progenitor species Brassica rapa L. and Brassica oleracea L. can be utilized. In this MSc thesis research project, potential value of the B. rapa gene pool for broadening the genetic base of the Canadian spring B. napus canola as well as for increasing the level of heterosis for seed yield in hybrid canola was investigated by developing three inbred populations from two B. napus x B. rapa interspecific crosses. Also, Genetic diversity analysis of the inbred population derived from the BC1 of (B. napus x B. rapa) x B. napus by SSR markers showed that genetically distinct spring B. napus canola lines carrying B. rapa alleles can be achieved from this interspecific cross. Of the theoretical expected number of B. rapa alleles, the inbred population carried about 79% of the alleles. Seed yield of the three inbred populations derived from the F2 and BC1 of these interspecific crosses was, on average, lower than the B. napus canola parent. However, seed yield of the test hybrid populations was significantly higher than the B. napus canola parent, and exhibited up to 24% mid-parent heterosis and 20% heterosis over the B. napus canola parent. Thus, this study demonstrated the potential of the B. rapa gene pool for broadening the genetic base of the Canadian canola as well as for increasing the seed yield in hybrid canola cultivars.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • B. napus
  • Canola
  • Heterosis

• Graduation date

  Spring 2018

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3MK65Q21

• License

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