TRANSGRESSIVE SEGREGATION FOR FROST RESISTANCE IN HEXAPLOID OATS (AVENA SPP)

Results are presented from freezing tests on five varieties of winter oats from diverse origins, on their crosses in the F1 and F2 generations and on selected F3 lines from six of the crosses. Analysis of the F1 results indicated that frost resistance was mainly determined by recessive genes, additive in their effect, but in the F2 experiment there was evidence of non-allelic gene interaction. Significant general combining ability (GCA) effects were obtained in both the F1 and F2 experiments but specific combining ability (SCA) effects were significant only in the F2 crosses. The variety Novosadsky II displayed consistently high general combining ability. Tests on F3 lines derived from selected F2 plants revealed considerable transgression for frost resistance in all six crosses studied. The results are discussed in relation to breeding for improved frost resistance in oats. © 1969, Cambridge University Press. All rights reserved.