Prediction of mean and variance of hybrids and of lines that can be derived from a random mating population

Summary A method is presented to estimate, from a two-factor crossing design including self-fertilization, mean and variance of lines and hybrids that can be derived from a random mating population. The derivation is only valid in the absence of epistasis. From such an estimation, it is possible to derive the expected value of the best lines and of the best hybrids that can be derived from a population.