Genetic and non-genetic factors affecting anther culture of Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera)

Summary Eight inbred lines of Brussels sprouts and ten F₁ hybrids derived from them were tested for their response to anther culture. From 5–19 plants per genotype were tested, and each plant was tested on 3–6 separate occasions. Results from the inbred lines were broadly similar to those from the F₁ hybrids, despite the inbreds producing fewer buds and having a higher frequency of anther deformities. The maximum embryo yield from an inbred line was 215 embryos per 100 anthers, and from a hybrid was 275. From estimation of the variance components it was calculated that, for both inbreds and hybrids, about half the total variation was genetic whereas variation due to plants within genotypes and to occasions within plants were each about 13% of the total. The narrow sense heritability of responsiveness to anther culture (estimated by the proportion of variation between inbred lines which was genetic) was 0.48, and there was partial dominance for this character. In three cases the hybrid outyielded the better inbred, and this heterosis may well be due to dispersed dominant genes.