Heterosis in hybridization between the monoecious and dioecious subspecies of Ecballium elaterium (L.) Rich

Summary

Statistical analysis was performed on a set of samples cultivated in balanced, incomplete blocks corresponding, respectively, to filial generations (pure, hybrid or backcross) distinguishable in the hybridization between the monoecious and dioecious subspecies of Ecballium elaterium (L.) Rich. We thus analyzed the possible existence of polygenes that condition the size of the plants, in particular the most observable characteristic effect of the polygenes, i.e., heterosis or hybrid vigor. The experimental results show that heterosis exists with respect to size of the individual plant. The occurrence of this phenomenon provides experimental evidence for the existence of a system of polygenes that affect this property. With respect to each of these polygenes, the genotype of each subspecies contains different alleles. This system of polygenes very likely plays a role in the phenotypic modification which, regarding the sex of the plant itself, has been recognized and confirmed previously.