Browsing by Author "Moller, Ernst Lodewicus"
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- ItemA diallel study of Secale cereale(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-12) Moller, Ernst Lodewicus; Botes, Willem; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of AgriScience. Dept. of Genetics.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Rye (Secale cereale) originated and was domesticated in the fertile cresent in the Middel East. It has been part of the human staple diet for thousands of years in those areas as well as Eastern Europe. It is known for its ability to grow and produce grain and animal feed in harsh environments. Therefore, as a result of its hardiness, rye is cultivated in many countries across the globe. In a rapid changing environment, due to climate change and human population growth, the importance of food security cannot be over emphasised. Therefore, this study aimed to select superior parent lines for the following characteristics: days to heading, plant length, spike number, thousand kernel weight and yield to be used in the Stellenbosch University’s Plant Breeding programme. In the first part of the study seed, from eight randomly selected plants from a synthetic population, were planted in planting pots. Due to it’s outbreeding nature and high degree of inbreeding depression, the first filial from each individual plant are half-siblings. DNA from three half-siblings from each parent line was extracted to determine variance at molecular level. Eight clones were made from the half-sibling showing the greatest variance for each line. In the second part of the study these clones were planted according to a Griffing full diallel mating design in all possible combinations. The progeny of these crosses was planted in a random block design with three repititions and the results were measured and compared to determine the general as well as specific combining ability of the diverent lines. Althouth no significant differences were observed, promising general combiners were identified for days to heading, plant length, spike number, thousand kernel weight and yield. One line may also be considered as a potential parent line for use in a synthetic population to improve qualities for animal fodder and yield. It was also found that one cross performed better than the means for four of the five traits and may therefore be considered for use in a hybrid production program.