Estimation of heritability of benzoxazinoid production in rye (Secale cereale) using gas chromatographic analysis

With 4 tables ABSTRACT: The 2,4‐dihydroxy‐1,4‐benzoxazin‐3‐one (DIBOA) content of Secale cereale is strongly associated with allelopathy. This has led to interest in developing allelopathic cultivars with increased DIBOA to improve weed control in this important cover crop. Objectives of this study were to determine heritability estimates for DIBOA in rye and determine the utility of gas chromatography (GC) as a screening tool in a rye allelopathy breeding programme. A synthetic population of half‐sib families varying in production of DIBOA was analysed. DIBOA concentrations ranged from 0.52 to 1.15 mg/g dwt tissue (mean = 0.70 mg/g dwt). Analysis of variance indicated significant variability for DIBOA content in rye harvested at the flag leaf stage. Year × location × genotype and block (year × location) interactions were also significant. Several genotypes were consistently ‘high’ or ‘low’ DIBOA producers across all locations and years. Narrow sense heritability estimates were 0.18 ± 0.04 SE on a per plot basis and 0.57 ± 0.07 SE on an entry mean basis. GC analysis was determined to be a good system for moderate throughput screening of lines.