Decomposition Method of Genetic Correlation Coefficient Based on NC Ⅱ Mating Design

There are different degrees of correlation between crop traits. The phenotypic correlation is decomposed into genetic and environmental correlation in quantitative genetics. In this paper,according to stochastic model of variance and covariance analysis,we calculate different genetic components,bring up a decomposition method of genetic correlation coefficient based on NC II mating design,and use examples to show analytic steps and interpret results.

Heritability and Genetic Correlation of Niamey’s Local Chicken Growth (Niger)

The exploitation of industrial strains of chickens in the Sahelian climate of Niger is characterized by a decline in performance and significant costs associated with their maintenance. In contrast, local chickens are well adapted to these environmental conditions but with poor production performance. Genetic selection of these local chickens could improve their productivity. The first step is to determine if the genetic parameters of their growth are high enough to ensure a successful selection strategy. To do so, weekly weights of 69 parents and 119 offspring were followed for 20 weeks. The heritability and genetic correlations of these weights were estimated through the Bayesian approach using the MCMCglmm package on R software. At hatching, weights ranged from 23 to 25 g. At 20 weeks, these weights ranged from 1031 to 1052 g for females and 1308 to 1445 g for males. Heritabilities for hatch weights at 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 weeks of age were estimated to be 0.56, 0.31, 0.52, 0.53, 0.52 and 0.48 respectively and all genetic correlations were positive. In particular, weight at 8 weeks of age showed both good heritability (h2 = 0.52) and strong, positive genetic correlations with weights at older ages. These results indicate that genetic selection to improve weight at 8 weeks of age would be a good strategy to improve the overall growth performance of these chickens.

Heritability and correlation analysis of morphological and yield traits in genetically modified cotton

Background:Cotton is known for fiber extraction and it is grown in tropical and sub-tropical areas of the world due to having hot weather.Cotton crop has a significant role in GDP of Pakistan.Therefore,the two-years research was conducted to estimate heritability and association among various yield contributing parameters of cotton,i.e.,plant height,number of bolls per plant,number of sympodial branches per plant,seed cotton yield,boll weight,seed index,ginning outturn(GOT),fiber length,fiber strength,and fiber fineness.Results:Association analysis revealed that seed cotton yield had a significant positive correlation with plant height,number of bolls per plant,number of sympodial branches per plant,GOT,staple length and fiber strength.Staple length and fiber strength were negatively linked with each other.Estimates of heritability were high for all of the traits except the number of sympodial branches per plant and boll weight.Conclusion:The parent IUB-222 was found to be the best for plant height,the number of bolls per plant,boll weight,GOT,seed cotton yield,and seed index.The genotypes namely,NIAB-414 and VH-367 were identified as the best parents for fiber length,strength,and fineness.Among the crosses NIAB-414×IUB-222 was the best for the number of bolls per plant,seed index,seed cotton yield and fiber fineness,whereas,the cross of NIAB-414×CIM-632 was good for plant height.The combination of A555×CIM-632 was the best for the number of sympodial branches per plant,boll weight,fiber length,and strength,and VH-367×CIM-632 proved the best for GOT.

Estimation of heritabilities of disease resistance to Edwardsiella tarda and genetic correlations between resistance and growth traits in Chinese tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis)

Chinese tongue sole(Cynoglossus semilaevis)is an important marine flatfish which is widely cultured in coastal areas in China.Infectious bacterial diseases such as Edwardsiella tarda imposed serious threats to this species.A potential strategy to prevent this disease is to select resistance strains.The aim of the present work was to estimate the genetic variation of disease resistance to E.tarda and to evaluate the genetic correlations between resistance traits and growth traits.Three types of models were fitted by using different trait definitions(binary,continuous and categorical).After a 9-day challenge test,the overall survival was 75.4%(ranging from 6.4%to 100%in families),and at test day 6,the overall survival was 50.7%.We set test day 6 and 9 as cut-off point times respectively.The heritabilities of survival traits were ranging from 0.10 to 0.36.Considerably higher heritability values were obtained at day 6 than at day 9,regardless of which model or trait definition used(except Trait 2 in LIN).The genetic correlations between disease resistance traits and growth traits(i.e.body weight and total length)were low and not significant from zero(−0.12–0.24).There is a substantial re-ranking of families when defined resistance as categorical and continuous traits compared to binary trait.These results confirm the existence of genetic variation for resistance against E.tarda and weak genetic correlations indicate that joint genetic improvement of E.tarda resistance and growth is scarcely available.

Analysis of genetic effects and correlations for nutrient quality traits of indica rice in different environments

Understanding the variation for the expressionof genes in different environments is one of themajor goals in qualitative genetics. In this pa-per, the genetic models for quantitative traitsof endosperm in cereal crops were used to eval-uate the seed, cytoplasm and maternal geneticeffects as well as the genotype × environment(GE) interaction effects, and to predict thebreeding value of parents and genotypic corre-lation for nutrient quality traits of indica rice (Oryza sativa L.).

Estimates of genetic and phenotypic parameters for weight and length in Paralichthys olivaceus(Temminck et Schlegel)

The complete diallel cross design was employed to estimate the genetic parameters of the growth of Japanese flounder （Paralichthys olivaceus）. A total of 60 full-sib families were cultivated and two growth-related traits, body weight （BW） and body length （BL）, were examined at average 2, 3 and 8 months of age respectively, with 1 800 individuals measured in each age group （30 per family）. Based on the additive-dominance-maternal-effect genetic analysis model, the restricted maximum likelihood approach was used to estimate various （co）variance components. The results showed that narrow-sense heritability estimates of BW and BL were respectively： 0.29 ± 0.01 and 0.22 ± 0.02 at 2 months of age, 0.32 ± 0.02 and 0.30 ± 0.04 at 3 months of age, 0.48 ± 0.04 and 0.40 ± 0.05 at 8 months of age; broad-sense heritability estimates were respectively： 0.44 ± 0.02 and 0.54 ± 0.04 at 2 months of age, 0.35 ± 0.01 and 0.36 ± 0.03 at 3 months of age, 0.49 ± 0.03 and 0.45 ± 0.04. All heritabilities were statistically significant （P 0.05）. Additive genetic correlations between BW and BL at 2, 3 and 8 months of age were consistently positive and highly significant （P 0.01）： 0.93 ± 0.02, 0.95 ± 0.03 and 0.92 ± 0.03 respectively. Maternal effect was significant （P 0.05） only at 2 months of age, and was not detected at 3 and 8 months of age. According to the heritability estimates, the mass selection strategy should be efficient for the breeding of Japanese flounder.

Genetic parameter estimates for growth traits at early stage of Pacific abalone,Haliotis discus hannai Ino

Heritability and genetic and phenotypic correlations were estimated for juvenile growth traits of Pacific abalone Haliotis discus hannai Ino. The estimates were calculated from shell length and shell width measurements on progeny resulting from 12 half-sib families and 36 full-sib families obtained using artificial fertilization of mating three females to each male. The measurements were taken at 10, 20 and 30 d after fertilization. It was found that heritability estimates based on sire component ranged from 0.23 to 0.36 for shell length and 0.21 to 0.32 for shell width. Heritability estimates from dam component were larger than those from sire component at three ages, indicating presence of maternal effects, non-additive genetic effects and common environmental effects. Phenotypic correlations were significant at three ages （P 〈 0.05）, with values of 0.92, 0.93 and 0.92, respectively. Genetic correlations from the paternal half-sib correlation analysis were highly positive at three ages, with values of 0.50, 0.78 and 0.81, respectively. The results suggest that selective breeding is an effective approach to improving growth traits of Pacific abalone stocks.

Genetic parameters for cold tolerance and body weight of Chinese fleshy prawn,Fenneropenaeus chinensis

The inability of Fenneropenaeus chinensis to tolerate low temperatures is of major economic concern in temperate climates,as it reduces their growing season and leads to over-winter mortality.In this study,the heritability of body weight under low grow-out temperature and cold tolerance in F.chinensis were first investigated and estimated using 88 ful-sib families,which might provide crucial information in Chinese fleshy prawn breeding programs.The heritability for body weight under suitable and low temperature of F.chinensis were both moderate（0.158 0±0.307 5 and 0.132 0±0.026 9 respectively）;the large coefficient of variation（approximately 21%） and moderate estimate of heritability for body weight indicated substantial potential for selective breeding.The heritability estimate for cold tolerance was low（0.019 2±0.023 5）,and showed no significant differences from zero（P〉0.05）.A weak genetic correlation between cold tolerance and body weight was also estimated in the present study,also showing no significant differences from zero（P〉0.05）.Thus,more research needs to be conducted on the more accurate heritability estimate of cold tolerance and genetic correlations between traits in F.chinensis to further improve the achievement of breeding goals.

Estimation of genetic parameters for upper thermal tolerance and growth-related traits in turbot Scophthalmus maximus using the Bayesian method based on Gibbs sampling

In order to carry out the genetic improvement of turbot upper thermal tolerance, it is necessary to estimate the genetic parameters of UTT（upper thermal tolerance） and growth-related traits. The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for BW（body weight） and UTT in a two-generational turbot（Scophthalmus maximus L.） pedigree derived from four imported turbot stocks（England, France, Denmark and Norway）. A total of 42 families including 20 families from G1 generation and 22 families from G2 generation were used to test upper thermal tolerance（40–50 animals per family） in this study and the body weight of individuals were measured. The heritability of BW and UTT and the correlation between these two traits were estimated based on an individual animal model using Bayesian method based on two types of animal models with and without maternal effects.These results showed that the heritabilities for BW and UTT and phenotypic and genetic correlations between the two traits estimated from model without maternal effects were 0.239±0.141, 0.111±0.080, 0.075±0.026 and–0.019±0.011, respectively. The corresponding values from model with maternal effects were 0.203±0.115,0.055±0.026, 0.047±0.034 and –0.024±0.028, respectively. The maternal effects of BW and UTT were 0.050±0.017 and 0.013±0.004, respectively. The maternal effects had a certain influence on the genetic evaluation of the two traits. The findings of this paper provided the necessary background to determine the best selection strategy to be adopted in the genetic improvement program.

Heritability of resistance-related gene expression traits and their correlation with body size of clam Meretrix petechialis

Gene expression variation can be considered as a phenotype,and it plays an important role in both acclimation and adaption.However,genetic variation of gene expression received much less attention than traditional commercial traits in aquaculture.To estimate the genetic variation and heritability of gene transcription in clam Meretrix petechialis,five Vibrio resistance-related genes were selected for gene expression analysis in the digestive gland,and an animal linear model was used to analyze data from quantitative real-time PCR(qRT-PCR).Among the five genes,BIRC7 showed significant additive genetic variations,the heritability of this gene of 12-month-and 15-month-old clams were 0.84±0.32 and 0.91±0.34,respectively.The heritability of other four genes(Bax,NFIL3,Big-Def,and CTL9)expression were low-tomoderate but not significantly expressed.Additionally,no significant phenotypic and genetic correlations between the BIRC7 transcription trait and body size were detected.This study highlights that certain gene expression variation is heritable and provides a reference for indirect selection of M.petechialis with high Vibrio resistance.

Dynamic genetic analysis for body weight and main length ratio in turbot Scophthalmus maximus

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters of body width(BW)to body length(BL)ratio(BW/BL)and of body weight traits(BWT)in turbot,and to elucidate the genetic mechanism of the two traits during ontogeny by dynamic genetic analysis.From 3 to 27 months,BW,BL and BWT of each communally stocked fish were measured every 3 months.The BW/BL ratio was measured at different sampling ages.A twotrait animal model was used for genetic evaluation of traits.The results showed that the heritability values of BW/BL ratio ranged from 0.2168 to 0.3148,corresponding to moderate heritability.The BWT heritability values ranged from 0.2702 to 0.3479 corresponding to moderate heritability.The heritability of BW/BL ratio was lower than that of BWT,except at 3 months of age.Genetic correlation between BW/BL ratio and BWT decreased throughout the measurement period.Genetic correlations were higher than the phenotypic correlations.The current results for estimating genetic parameters demonstrate that the BW/BL ratio could be used as a phenotypic marker of fast-growing turbot,and the BW/BL ratio and BWT could be improved simultaneously through selective breeding.

Genetic parameters estimation for growth traits in cultured tiger pufferfish(fugu),Takifugu rubripes

The aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic parameters of the growth performance of Takifugu rubripes.Heritabilities and genetic correlations were estimated for body weight(BW),body length(BL),total length(TL),chest measurement(CM)and trunk length(TKL)of T.rubripes from measurements of progeny at 6 months and 12 months.The results showed that the heritability was 0.37 for BW6,0.19 for BL6,0.35 for TL6,0.29 for CM6,0.26 for TKL6,0.36 for BW12,0.26 for BL12,0.25 for TL12,0.31 for CM12 and 0.15 for TKL12.The range of genetic correlations estimated at 6 months was 0.025–0.725 and−0.002–0.706 at 12 months.The results indicated that genetic improvement for faster growth rate or increased body weight in cultured T.rubripes was effective.Based on selection theory,the selection strategy for traits with medium heritability is flexible.Considering that these growth traits do not reach the high level of heritability,family selection should be expected.Given positive genetic correlations among BW,BL,TL,CM,and TKL at 6 months,the five traits could be improved simultaneously through selective breeding.As there was high genetic correlation only between BW12,BL12 and TL12,and negative correlations between TKL12 and BL12 as well as between CM12 and TL12,and only BW,BL and TL at 12 months could be improved simultaneously.

Genetic Analysis on Plant Type of Northern Japonica Hybrid Rice

This study was designed to analyze the genetic relationship of the morphological traits of the northern japonica hybrid rice. The genetic relationship of the morphological traits of the 100 cultivars combined by the 10 sterile lines and the 10 restore lines was studied by using the principle component analysis and the SAS and QGA. The results showed that compared with the female parent, most of the morphological traits related closely to their father. The additive genetic effect and the dominant genetic effect appeared significantly, and the former was more significant than the latter. Genetic correlation analysis indicated that high plants or high plants with more leaves were in favor of improving the number and the weight of the spike and producing the hybrid vigor. The important factors influencing the plant type of the northern japonica hybrid rice were the plant height （PH）, the angle of the flag leaf （FLA）, flag leaf length （FLL）, and the weight of the shoots and leaves （SLW）, respectively. The morphological traits system of the northern japonica hybrid rice was very complex, and the restore line should be given more importance compared with the sterile line, and PH, FLA, FLL, and SLW should be considered first in the plant type breeding.

Evaluation of the Genetic Relationship between Longevity and Growth, Milk Yield and Fertility Traits in the Sahiwal Breed in Kenya

Direct selection for longevity results in improved health and fitness and even milk production of cows. However, longevity is lowly heritable and phenotypic information is obtained at the end of an animal’s life. Traits expressed early in life and which are favorably correlated to longevity can be useful in selecting for this trait. The aim of this study was to estimate genetic correlations between longevity and age at first calving, first lactation calving interval, number of services per conception, first lactation milk yield, and first parity lactation length. Heritability estimates for measures of longevity were also calculated. The measures of longevity were time between birth and last milking in days (Long1), time between first calving and last milking record in months (Long2), number of lactations initiated (Long3), and total number of days in lactation over all lactations (Long4), total milk yield over all lactations (kg) (Long5). A series of five-variate animal models were fitted to estimate the nature and magnitude of genetic and phenotypic correlations between each measure of longevity and the fertility and production traits. Genetic correlations between measures of longevity and age at first calving, calving interval and number of services per conception were negative ranging from -0.14 ± 0.05 to -0.96 ± 0.06, -0.06 ± 0.03 to -0.67 ± 0.08 and -0.02 ± 0.02 to -0.73 ± 0.34, respectively. Correlations between measures of longevity and first lactation milk yield ranged from 0.88 ± 0.01 to 0.97 ± 0.03. Those with first parity lactation length ranged from -0.10 to 0.72. Long1, Long4 and Long5, which measure time between birth and last milking day, total number of days in lactation over all lactations and total milk yield over all lactations (kg), respectively, had the highest heritability estimates. These three could therefore be used to directly select for longevity. Among the traits studied, first lactation milk yield and age at first calving had the highest genetic correlation with measures of longevity. Therefore, first lactation milk yield and age at first calving could, therefore, be used to indirectly select for longevity.

Heritability and Correlation among Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) Yield and Some Agronomic and Sugar Quality Traits in Ethiopia

To assess broad sense heritability and phenotypic and genetic correlations among sugarcane yield components, an experiment was conducted at Wonji and Metehara Sugar Estates of Sugar Corporation of Ethiopia during 2012/2013. High broad sense heritability (h2) was detected for stalk diameter (0.730), single cane weight (0.672), millable cane number (0.624), stalk height (0.624) and pol % (0.608), indicating that these traits could be selected for easily. Expected genetic gain of the yield components was moderate to high. All traits had low to high genetic correlations (rg = -0.005 to 0.884) with cane yield and (rg = 0.027 to 0.999) with sugar yield. On average genetic correlations were higher than phenotypic correlations. High Genotypic Coefficient of Variation (GCV), broad sense heritability and expected genetic advance were recorded for stalk diameter, single cane weight and millable cane number. A selection strategy based on these traits could lead to improvement in cane and sugar yield.

Bidirectional relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease:Prospective cohort study and genetic analyses

Background:While type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)is considered a putative causal risk factor for coronary artery disease(CAD),the intrinsic link underlying T2DM and CAD is not fully understood.We aimed to highlight the importance of integrated care targeting both diseases by investigating the phenotypic and genetic relationships between T2DM and CAD.Methods:We evaluated phenotypic associations using data from the United Kingdom Biobank(N=472,050).We investigated genetic relationships by leveraging genomic data conducted in European ancestry for T2DM,with and without adjustment for body mass index(BMI)(T2DM:N_(case)/N_(control)=74,124/824,006;T2DM adjusted for BMI[T2DM_(adj)BMI]:N_(case)/N_(control)=50,409/523,897)and for CAD(N_(case)/N_(control)=181,522/984,168).We performed additional analyses using genomic data conducted in multiancestry individuals for T2DM(N_(case)/N_(control)=180,834/1,159,055).Results:Observational analysis suggested a bidirectional relationship between T2DM and CAD(T2DM→CAD:hazard ratio[HR]=2.12,95%confidence interval[CI]:2.01–2.24;CAD→T2DM:HR=1.72,95%CI:1.63–1.81).A positive overall genetic correlation between T2DM and CAD was observed(r_(g)=0.39,P=1.43×10^(-75)),which was largely independent of BMI(T2DM_(adj)BMI–CAD:r_(g)=0.31,P=1.20×10^(–36)).This was corroborated by six local signals,among which 9p21.3 showed the strongest genetic correlation.Cross-trait meta-analysis replicated 101 previously reported loci and discovered six novel pleiotropic loci.Mendelian randomization analysis supported a bidirectional causal relationship(T2DM→CAD:odds ratio[OR]=1.13,95%CI:1.11-1.16;CAD→T2DM:OR=1.12,95%CI:1.07-1.18),which was confirmed in multiancestry individuals(T2DM→CAD:OR=1.13,95%CI:1.10-1.16;CAD→T2DM:OR=1.08,95%CI:1.04-1.13).This bidirectional relationship was significantly mediated by systolic blood pressure and intake of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors,with mediation proportions of 54.1%(95%CI:24.9-83.4%)and 90.4%(95%CI:29.3-151.5%),respectively.Conclusion:Our observational and genetic analyses demonstrated an intrinsic bidirectional relationship between T2DM and CAD and clarified the biological mechanisms underlying this relationship.

Early selection efficiency for fiber dimensions and their relationships with growth and wood quality for Pinus elliotth Engelm.in southern China

A solid understanding of the efficiency of early selection for fiber dimensions is a prerequisite for breeding slash pine(Pinus elliottii Engelm.)with improved properties for pulp and paper products.Genetic correlations between size of fibers,wood quality and growth properties are also important.To accomplish effective early selection for size of fibers and evaluate the impact for wood quality traits and ring widths,core samples were collected from360 trees of 20 open-pollinated Pinus elliottii families from three genetic trials.Cores were measured by SilviScan,and the age trends for phenotypic values,heritability,early-late genetic correlations,and early selection efficiency for fiber dimensions,such as tangential and radial fiber widths,fiber wall thickness and fiber coarseness,and their correlations with microfibril angle(MFA),modulus of elasticity(MOE),wood density and ring width were investigated.Different phenotypic trends were found for tangential and radial fiber widths while fiber coarseness and wall thickness curves were similar.Age trends of heritability based on area-weighted fiber dimensions were different.Low to moderate heritability from pith to bark(~0.5)was found for all fiber dimension across the three sites except for tangential fiber width and wall thickness at the Ganzhou site.Early-late genetic correlations were 0.9 after age of 9 years,and early selection for fiber dimensions could be effective due to strong genetic correlations.Our results showed moderate to strong positive genetic correlations for modulus of elasticity and density with fiber dimensions.The effects on fiber dimensions were weak or moderate when ring width or wood quality traits were selected alone.Estimates of efficiency for early selection indicated that the optimal age for radial fiber width and fiber coarseness was 6-7 years,while for tangential fiber width and wall thickness was 9-10 years.

Variation among poplar clones for growth and crown traits under field conditions at two sites of North-western India

We evaluated the growth and crown traits of 36 poplar clones at two distinct agro-climatic regions of Punjab （Ludhiana and Bathinda） in northwestern India, following randomized block design with three replications and plot size of four trees. Significant differences among clones （p〈0.001） were observed for diameter at breast height （DBH）, tree height, volume, crown width and number of branches under both the site conditions. Clones ‘G-3’, ‘25-N’ and ‘41-N’ at Ludhiana and ‘G-3’, ‘RD-01’ and ‘S7C8’ at Bathinda were found to be superior for volume production. All growth and crown traits registered significantly higher values at Ludhiana in comparison to those at Bathinda. Clone site interaction was also significant （p〈0.001）. For volume, clones ‘L-62/84’, ‘113520’, ‘25-N’ and ‘S4C2’ witnessed huge fluctuations in ranking between sites. The correlations between growth traits were positive and highly significant （p〈0.001） at both sites. The clonal mean heritability was moderate for DBH and volume both at Ludhiana （0.61–0.66） and Bathinda （0.61–0.62）. Across sites, the genetic advance was the highest for volume （49.76%） and the lowest （6.50%） in case of height.

Heritability of body weight and resistance to ammonia in the Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei juveniles

Ammonia,toxic to aquaculture organisms,represents a potential problem in aquaculture systems,and the situation is exacerbated in closed and intensive shrimp farming operations,expecially for Litopenaeus vannamei.Assessing the potential for the genetic improvement of resistance to ammonia in L.vannamei requires knowledge of the genetic parameters of this trait.The heritability of resistance to ammonia was estimated using two descriptors in the present study:the survival time(ST) and the survival status at half lethal time(SS_(50)) for each individual under high ammonia challenge.The heritability of ST and SS_(50) were low(0.154 4±0.044 6 and 0.147 5±0.040 0,respectively),but they were both significantly different from zero(P<0.01).Moreover,these two estimates were basically the same and showed no significant differences from each other(P>0.05),suggesting that ST and SS_(50) could be used as suitable indicators for resistance to ammonia.There were also positive phenotypic and genetic correlation between resistance to ammonia and body weight,which means that resistance to ammonia can be enhanced by the improvement of husbandry practices that increase the body weight.The results from the present study suggest that the selection for higher body weight does not have any negative consequences for resistance to ammonia.In addition to quantitative genetics,tools from molecular genetics can be applied to selective breeding programs to improve the efficiency of selection for traits with low heritability.

Male Parent Plays More Important Role in Heat Tolerance in Three-Line Hybrid Rice

Ten F1 combinations with their male and female parents were employed to evaluate their heat tolerance during the flowering and early grain filling stages. The rice plants were subjected to heat stress（39 °C–43 °C） for 1–15 d during flowering. Based on the heat stress index, heat tolerance was only observed in the F1 combinations H2（K22A × R207）, H3（Bobai A × R207） and H4（Bobai A × Minghui 63）, whereas the others received above 0.5000 of heat stress index. Both parents of the tolerant combination（heat-tolerant × heat-tolerant） possessed heat tolerance, whereas the susceptible combinations were crossed by heat-tolerant（sterile lines） × heat-susceptible（restorer lines）, heat-susceptible × heat-tolerant, or heat-susceptible × heat-susceptible parents. This result indicated that heat tolerance in rice was controlled by recessive genes. Thus, both parents should possess high temperature tolerance to develop heat-tolerant F1 combinations. Furthermore, the heat stress index of F1 combinations was significantly correlated with the heat stress index of restorer lines but not with the heat stress index of maintainer lines. This result suggested that male parents play a more important role in heat-tolerant combinations than female parents. Therefore, the heat susceptibility of the hybrid rice in China is mainly due to the wide application of low-heat-tolerant restorer lines with high yield in three-line hybrid rice breeding.