Genetically determined variation in seed germination and field emergence of Brassica oleracea

The germination and field emergence levels and germination rates were measured of Brassica oleracea seed lots obtained by outcrossing the progenies of two half diallels to a single pollen parent. Analysis of variation of the seed lots classified according to their maternal grandparents showed that both general and specific combining abilities were important in accounting for the observed differences; the observed performance of many of the seed lots was satisfactorily accounted for by their grandmaternal parentage. The capacity to give high levels of germination was not necessarily related to the capacity to give high relative field emergence levels, maternal grandparents apparently differing in their ability to contribute to these two characters.