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Partitioning of Blending Ability Using Two‐Way Blends and Component Lines of Soybean
Author(s) -
Gizlice Ziya,
Carter T. E.,
Burton J. W.,
Emigh T. H.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci1989.0011183x002900040008x
Subject(s) - diallel cross , biology , yield (engineering) , genotype , microbiology and biotechnology , component (thermodynamics) , statistics , biological system , mathematics , horticulture , agronomy , materials science , composite material , genetics , gene , physics , hybrid , thermodynamics
Numerous studies have quantified the performance of multiline mixtures or blends in crop species. Few multiline cultivurs, however, have been released for farm use. A primary reason is the lack of efficient methods for identifying genotypes that enhance blend performance. This study was undertaken to evaluate a practical method that describes the relative worth of genotypes in blend combination. Eight adapted soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.] genotypes and all two‐way blend combinations were evaluated in eight environments in North Carolina during 1983 to 1985. Genetic effects were partitioned through diallel analysis of two variables: blend yield per se and blend response (BR), the deviation of blend yield from the pure line component average. General blending ability (GBA) and its components, true general competitive ability (TGCA), and general yielding ability (GYA) are defined and related to existing terminology to describe the worth of a genotype as a blend component. General blending ability, statistically analogous to general combining ability, is obtained from diallel analysis of blend yield per se and reflects both the ability of a genotype to affect blend response through competition and its separate ability to yield in pure stand. The TGCA is obtained from diallel analysis of BR and reflects only that contribution of a blend component due to competitive effects. The GYA reflects only the innate yielding ability of a genotype in pure stand and is obtained as the difference between GBA and TGCA. Genotypes in this study differed significantly for GBA, TGCA, and GYA, while components analogous to specific combining ability were nonsignificant. The TGCA and GYA were found to be independent and equally important components of GBA, indicating that both effects must be considered in describing the relative worth of a genotype in blend performance. Results indicate that some genotypes consistently enhance blend performance through competition regardless of the partner genotype involved. This is a novel finding that has implications to the development of superior blends. The GBA, TGCA, and GYA taken together may be used in a practical way to identify desirable genotypes for blending.