Evaluation of Genetic Diversity and Heritability of the Grain Yield and Yield Components in Spring Rapeseed Cultivars

Canola as an oil plant that is considered as an important plant among other oilseed plants due to its high seed performance as well as oil content. Genetic diversity is necessary for breeding program and increasing selection efficiency. This study was conducted to investigate the genetic diversity and heritability of yield and some morphological traits in spring rapeseed, at Dezful, Khozestan Province Iran, during 2015–2016. A randomized complete block design with four replications was used. Results of analysis of variance showed significant differences among genotypes for all the traits at 1 % probability level, indicating the existence of genetic diversity among the studied cultivars. The highest genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation was found for the 1000-grain weight, number of grain per pod and days to maturity, respectively. The highest broad sense heritability was estimated for the 1000-grain weight, days to maturity, number of grain per pod and HI and the lowest broad sense heritability was estimated for the plant height. The results of factor analysis exhibited two factors including sink factor (number of seeds per pod, 1000-seed weight and seed yield) and fixed capital factor (phonological traits). It seems that the possible to use their traits in breeding programs for improve seed yield of spring rapeseed cultivars. Using WARD method cluster analysis revealed five groups and there was, base on highest genetic distance and seed yield predict that hybridization of between Hayola401 and RGS003 genotyps could provide best hybrids and supply a desirable genetic diversity in segregated generations for breeding programs.