Correlation Studies for Agronomic Characters in Segregating Families of Spring Oilseed Rape (Brassica Napus)

Abstract

Knowledge of the extent and type of relationship between agronomic characters in oilseed rape is of relevance to plant breeders, in order to avoid selecting against an agronomically important character while performing early generation selection of another character. Genetic and phenotypic correlations for ten agronomic characters were calculated across and within four summer oilseed rape crosses. From each cross 32 F3 families were tested in the first year and 12 F3 families in the second year. The genetic correlations with yield in every cross were generally low. There is a consistency of high positive correlation of oil content in the seed with protein content in the meal in all crosses. The genetic correlations sometimes displayed differences between the four crosses. This largely influenced the predictions for the proportion of lines that are superior for two characters simultaneously.

Interrelationships between seed yield and 20 related traits of 49 canola (Brassica napus L.) genotypes in non-stressed and water-stressed environments

“…Further, MarjanovicJeromela et al (2008) reported a moderate, positive, significant correlation and Tuncturk and Ciftci (2007) reported a low positive, significant correlation between TSW and seed yield. In contrast Lee et al (1977), Richards and Thurling (1979), Lefort-Buson and Dattee (1985), Engqvist and Becker (1993) and Basalma (2008) found no significant correlation between these two traits.…”

“…The most interesting trait to use as an indirect means of selecting for yield is the TSW. This character is a yield component and is easier to determine than yield and generally has a high heritability (Engqvist and Becker, 1993). Leiah and Al-Khateeb (2005) and Ivanovska et al (2007) reported a high, positive, significant, correlation between TSW and seed yield.…”

“…Therefore, selection for increasing seed yield through these traits might be successful. Engqvist and Becker (1993) considered TSW as most interesting trait to use as an indirect selection criteria for yield. Therefore direct selection through the TSW should be effective.…”

“…Recently sequential path analysis was used in maize (Zea mays L.) by Mohammadi et al (2003) and in potato (Solanum tubersum L.) by Asghari-Zakaria et al (2007). Although, there are several reports on correlation and path coeff icient analysis in canola (Degenhart and Kondra, 1984;Engqvist and Becker, 1993;Ozer et al, 1999;Ali et al, 2003;Khan et al, 2006Khan et al, , 2008Ivanovska et al, 2007;Marjanovic-Jeromela et al, 2007;Basalma, 2008), detailed cause and effect relationships using sequential path analysis have not been examined in canola.…”

Agronomic and seed quality evaluation of Camelina sativa in western Canada

“…Seed size of C. sativa is highly heritable (Marquard and Kuhlmann 1986;Vollmann et al 1996) and accessions with larger seed have been developed, but with a corresponding decline in oil content and seed yield (Vollmann et al 1996). However, in a similar study on spring oilseed rape Engqvist and Becker (1993) observed no correlations between yield and other characters consistent over years and crosses, and reported positive correlations between seed weight and oil content, and seed weight and yield, for some crosses. Furthermore, in our trials the accessions with the largest seed were not necessarily those with the lowest oil content.…”