Relationship between hybrid performance and genetic diversity based on RAPD markers in wheat, Triticum aestivum L.

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were generated from 20 whea t, Triticum aestivum, lines. Fifty-four fragments generated by six primers of a 10-mer arbitrary sequence were used to study their potential power in differentiating parents with different characteristics and predicting the y ield performance of hybrids produced from these parents, Experimental resul ts showed that the 20 wheat lines were divided into four groups. Group I wa s characterized by more grains per spike, group II by heavy grains and grou p III by more spikes per unit area and short plants; group IV was similar t o group III but had a much higher biomass yield and grain yield. Hybrids fr om parents in different groups were generally superior to most hybrids from parents in the same group. Both yield performance and heterosis of hybrids from parents between group I and group III were much better than those of other intergroup hybrids. These results suggest that, based on RAPD markers , it is possible to differentiate wheat lines with different performances a nd that the classification of parents from these markers is of predictive v alue for developing superior hybrids. However, genetic distance (GD) based on RAPD markers was not significantly correlated with hybrid performance an d heterosis. It appears to be impossible to predict hybrid performance from GD itself.