The utility of covariance of combining ability in plant breeding

✍ Scribed by V. Arunachalam

• Publisher: Springer
• Year: 1976
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 267 KB
• Volume: 47
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0040-5752
• DOI: 10.1007/bf00281936

✦ Synopsis

The definition of covariances of half- and full sibs, and hence that of variances of general and specific combining ability with regard to a quantitative character, is extended to take into account the respective covariances between a pair of characters. The interpretation of the dispersion and correlation matrices of general and specific combining ability is discussed by considering a set of single, three- and four-way crosses, made using diallel and line × tester mating systems in Pennisetum typhoides. The general implications of the concept of covariance of combining ability in plant breeding are discussed.