Heterosis and heterotic patterns of maize germplasm revealed by a multiple-hybrid population under well-watered and drought-stressed conditions

Understanding the heterosis in multiple environments between different heterotic groups is of fundamental importance in successful maize breeding. A total of 737 hybrids derived from 41 maize inbreds were evaluated over two years, with the aim of assessing the genetic diversity and their performance between heterotic groups under drought-stressed(DS) and well-watered(WW) treatments. A total of 38 737 SNPs were employed to assess the genetic diversity. The genetic distance(GD) between the parents ranged from 0.05 to 0.74, and the 41 inbreds were classified into five heterotic groups. According to the hybrid performance(high yield and early maturity between heterotic groups), the heterosis and heterotic patterns of Iowa Stiff Stalk Synthetic(BSSS)×Non-Stiff Stalk(NSS), NSS×Sipingtou(SPT) and BSSS×SPT were identified to be useful options in China’s maize breeding. The relative importance of general and specific combining abilities(GCA and SCA) suggests the importance of the additive genetic effects for grain yield traits under the WW treatment, but the non-additive effects under the DS treatment. At least one of the parental lines with drought tolerance and a high GCA effect would be required to achieve the ideal hybrid performance under drought conditions. GD showed a positive correlation with yield and yield heterosis in within-group hybrids over a certain range of GD. The present investigation suggests that the heterosis is due to the combined accumulation of superior genes/alleles in parents and the optimal genetic distance between parents, and that yield heterosis under DS treatment was mainly determined by the non-additive effects.

A Combined Heterotic String and Kähler Manifold Elucidation of Ordinary Energy,Dark Matter,Olbers’s Paradox and Pure Dark Energy Density of the Cosmos

We utilize the topological-geometrical structure imposed by the Heterotic superstring theory on spacetime in conjunction with the K3 Kähler manifold to explain the mysterious nature of dark matter and its coupling to the pure dark energy density of the cosmos. The analogous situations in the case of a Kerr black hole as well as the redundant components of the Riemannian tensor are pointed out and the final result was found to be in complete agreement with all previous theoretical ones as well as all recent accurate measurements and cosmic observations. We conclude by commenting briefly on the Cantorian model of Zitterbewegung and the connection between Olbers’s paradox and dark energy.

Heterotic Classes and Utilization Patterns in Chinese Foxtail Millet [<i>Setaria italica</i>(L.) P. Beauv]

Utilization of heterosis to develop hybrid cultivars can significantly increase yield of most crops including foxtail millet. However, previous foxtail millet hybrid cultivars have been largely developed from crosses between sterile lines and conventional varieties or between sterile lines and varieties that are geographically distent from the sterile lines. The research on classification of heterotic classes and determinetaion of heterotic patterns has not been reported, which results in uncertainty in selection of parents for crosses and delays progress in utilization of high yielding hybrids in large-scale commercial production. In this study, a core collection of 128 accessions from China was grouped into six classes using combined analyses of population structure, pedigree, and clustering. The classification was conducted based mainly on molecular clustering of genotypic data, also considered the population structure and mathematical clustering using phenotypic data, and was finally validated through pedigree analysis. According to the transgressive and superstandard heterosis for grain yield, plant height, panicle length, panicle diameter, single panicle weight, grain weight per panicle, and 1000-grain weight collected from an incomplete-diallel-cross experiment, we identified six superior heterosis patterns (C2/C1, C2/C4, C2/C5, C2/C6, C1/C5 and C4/C5) and four inferior heterosis patterns (C1/C3, C1/C4, C1/C6 and C4/C6), and explored their potential applications in millet hybrid breeding. This study laid a foundation for effective use of foxtail millet heterosis in improving millet hybrid yield.

Pedigree and Germplasm Base of Inbreds of the Lancaster Heterotic Group of Maize in China

Lancaster Surecrop (LSC) germplasm in inbreds of the Lancaster heterotic group in China was mainly provided by the two inbreds Mo17 and Oh43. Furthermore, the source of LSC germplasm was severely restricted in two inbreds, C103 and Oh40B. The contents of LSC germplasm are 50% or less in inbreds of the group, with the existence of more than 20 non-LSC germplasms that results in the abundant genetic diversity in the group. Most inbreds of Mo17 subgroup contain 25 % - 50 % LSC, 12.5 % - 25 % Reid Yellow Dent (RYD)and 12.5% - 25% Iowa Goldmine germplasms in the ratio of 2:1:1, and most inbreds of Zi330 subgroup contain 12.5%-25% LSC, 6.25%- 12.5% RYD, 6.25%- 12.5% Minnesota # 13 and 25%- 50% Creole germplasms in the ratio of 2:1:1: 4. All the facts indicated that the germplasm base of the Lancaster heterotic group has stupendously changed and evolved away from actual LSC germplasm.

The Solution Construction of Heterotic Super-Liouville Model

We investigate the heterotic super-Liouville model on the base of the basic Lie super-algebra Osp(1|2).Using the super extension of Leznov-Saveliev analysis and Drinfeld Sokolov linear system, we construct the explicit solution of the heterotic super-Liouville system in component form. We also show that the solutions are local and periodic by calculating the exchange relation of the solution. Finally starting from the action of heterotic super-Liou ville model, we obtain the conserved current and conserved charge which possessed the BR ST properties.

Dissection of heterotic loci for grain yield using interconnected chromosome segment substitution lines in rice

Heterosis contributes greatly to crop production, but the genetic basis of heterosis is not fully understood.To identify heterotic loci(HLs) for grain yield, 12 yield traits were evaluated in four rice(Oryza sativa L.)mapping populations: one parental population of chromosome segment substitution lines derived from a cross between the japonica cultivar Nipponbare and indica cultivar 9311 and three connected test populations in either a homozygous 9311 genetic background or a heterozygous background. A total of 390 HLs were detected for the measured traits in two environments. The genetic bases of heterosis differed between the backcross and testcross populations. At least 10 HLs were confirmed in F1 hybrids between9311 and near-isogenic lines, each of which carried a heterotic locus of interest in the same 9311 background. All 10 showed overdominant or dominant effects on grain yield and yield components. Among them, three were verified as being associated with yield heterosis and colocalized in the same regions as those containing previously reported heterosis-associated genes. Five HLs were identified to be promising candidate loci that could be used to achieve more than 15% yield heterosis in several commercial rice hybrids. These findings suggest the potential of indica or japonica introgression for increasing yield in hybrid rice breeding programs.

Heterotic Group Classification of 63 Inbred Lines and Hybrid Purity Identification by Using SSR Markers in Winter Cabbage(Brassica Oleracea L. var. capitata)

Winter cabbage is an important crop cultivated through winter in the region near the Yangtze River, enabling the supply of fresh cabbage there at that time of year. However, a problem has emerged regarding the newly developed parents of winter cabbage, which is completely different from spring and autumn cabbage, namely, how to combine these parents to breed an elite hybrid. To classify the heterotic groups and improve the efficiency of parent selection in winter cabbage breeding, 20 polymorphic SSR markers were selected to screen 63 winter cabbage inbred lines. Seventeen pairs among the 20 SSR markers amplified polymorphic bands. These primers amplified two to six bands,with an average of 2.8 bands per primer, and a total of 47 polymorphic bands were generated in the 63 inbred lines. These lines included flatheaded morphotype and round-headed morphotype, thus they were separately classified into heterotic groups based on the SSR markers. The flat-headed morphotype contained 21 inbred lines and was classified into three heterotic groups, named Hanchun 4, Jiali, and Dongsheng, in accordance with the representative germplasm contained in each group. The round-headed morphotype contained 42 inbred lines and was classified into five heterotic groups, named Parte, Bejo1039, YK-143, SCA002, and Golden B90. Meanwhile, parent analysis of 20 developed elite combinations showed that their parents were all distributed in different heterotic groups, indicating that the group classification was reasonable,which can provide a basis for further parent selection in winter cabbage breeding. Furthermore, polymorphic SSR primers were successfully used to identify the hybrid purity of three elite varieties.

Filtering for SNPs with high selective constraint augments mid-parent heterosis predictions in wheat(Triticum aestivum L.)

To extend the contemporary understanding into the grain yield heterosis of wheat, the current study investigated the contribution of deleterious alleles in shaping mid-parent heterosis(MPH). These alleles occur at low frequency in the genome and are often missed by automated genotyping platforms like SNP arrays. The deleterious alleles herein were detected using a quantitative measurement of evolutionary conservation based on the phylogeny of wheat and investigations were made to:(1) assess the benefit of including deleterious alleles into MPH prediction models and(2) understand the genetic underpinnings of deleterious SNPs for grain yield MPH using contrasting crosses viz. elite × elite(Exp. 1) and elite × plant genetic resources(PGR;Exp. 2). In our study, we found a lower allele frequency of moderately deleterious alleles in elites compared to PGRs. This highlights the role of purifying selection for the development of elite wheat cultivars. It was shown that deleterious alleles are informative for MPH prediction models: modelling their additive-by-additive effects in Exp. 1 and dominance as well as associated digenic epistatic effects in Exp. 2 significantly boosts prediction accuracies of MPH. Furthermore,heterotic-quantitative trait loci's underlying MPH was investigated and their properties were contrasted in the two crosses. Conclusively, it was proposed that incomplete dominance of deleterious alleles contributes to grain yield heterosis in elite crosses(Exp. 1).

A Classification of 45 Maize Inbred Lines Used in China with RFLP Markers

The classification of heterotic groups is essential to maize breeding because knowledge of heterotic groups could be interest to both the combination of outstanding hybrids and the improvement of elite inbred lines. RFLP has provided a powerful tool to assign maize inbred lines into heterotic groups. In this investigation, 45 inbred lines, used widely in south and southwest China, were chosen for RFLP analysis,among which 4 lines came from American, representing different heterotic groups in U.S. corn belt. 54 RFLP core markers covering 10 chromosomes of maize were used. A total DNA of each sample was digested with EcoR I, BamH Ⅰ and Hind Ⅲ . The procedure of RFLP was employed as described by a manual from maize RFLP lab at University of Missouri, Columbia. A total of 860 bands were detected among 45 inbred lines based on RFLP analysis, which were involved in 212 loci. Alleles at each locus ranged from 2 to 9 with an average of 4.06. In total, The 45 inbred lines were classified into 6 heterotic groups according to RFLP data with Ward's method. 3 heterotic groups, including Mo17, B73 and Oh43 respectively, seemed to be the same to U. S. heterotic groups. 21 inbred lines, most of which derived from Chinese local germplasm, were classified together into two heterotic groups, indicating domistic germplasm was different from U. S.germplasm at the molecular level and played an important role in maize hybrid production in China. Two inbred lines from tropic germplasm were assigned in the same group. These results provided useful information for our understanding maize heterotic groups and heterotic patterns in China.

Kerr Black Hole Geometry Leading to Dark Matter and Dark Energy via E-Infinity Theory and the Possibility of a Nano Spacetime Singularities Reactor

The present paper is basically a synthesis resulting from incorporating Kerr spinning black hole geometry into E-infinity topology, then letting the result bares on the vacuum zero point Casimir effect as well as the cosmic dark energy and dark matter density. In E-infinity theory a quantum particle is represented by a Hausdorff dimension Φ where Φ =2/(√5+1) . The quantum wave on the other hand is represented by Φ2 . To be wave and a particle simultaneously intersection theory leads us to?(Φ) (Φ)2= Φ3 which will be shown here to be twice the value of the famous Casimir force of the vacuum for a massless scalar field. Thus in the present work a basically topological interpretation of the Casimir effect is given as a natural intrinsic property of the geometrical topological structure of the quantum-Cantorian micro spacetime. This new interpretation compliments the earlier conventional interpretation as vacuum fluctuation or as a Schwinger source and links the Casimir energy to the so called missing dark energy density of the cosmos. From the view point of the present work Casimir pressure is a local effect acting on the Casimir plates constituting the local boundary condition while dark energy is nothing but the global combined effect of infinitely many quantum waves acting on the M&#246bius-like boundary of the holographic boundary of the entire universe. Since this higher dimensional M&#246bius-like boundary is one sided, there is no outside to balance the internal collective Casimir pressure which then manifests itself as the force behind cosmic expansion, that is to say, dark energy. Thus analogous to the exact irrational value of ordinary energy density of spacetime E(O)=(Φ5/2) mc2 we now have P (Casimir) = (Φ3/2)(ch/d2) where c is the speed of light, m is the mass, h is the Planck constant and d is the plate separation. In addition the new emerging geometry combined with the topology of E-infinity theory leads directly to identifying dark matter with the quasi matter of the ergosphere. As a direct consequence of this new insight E=mc2 which can be written as E = E (O) + E (D)?where the exact rational approximation is E (O)=mc2/22 is?the ordinary energy density of the cosmos and the exact rational approximation E (D)=mc2/(21/22) is the corresponding dark energy which could be subdivided once more albeit truly approximately into E(D)=mc2/(5/22)?+mc2/(16/22)??where 5 is the Kaluza Klein spacetime dimension, 16 are the bosonic extra dimensions of Heterotic superstrings and 5/22 □?22% is approximately the density of the dark matter-like energy of the ergosphere of the Kerr geometry. As for the actual design of our nano reactor, this is closely related to branching clusters of polymer, frequently called lattice animals. In other words we will have Casimir spheres instead of Casimir plates and these spheres will be basically nano particles modelling lattice animals. Here D=?4 will be regarded as spacetime dimensionality while D=6 of percolations are the compactified super string dimensions and D=8 is the dimension of a corresponding super space.

Patterns of Molecular Diversity in Current and Previously Developed Hybrid Parents of Pearl Millet [<i>Pennisetum glaucum</i>(L.) R. Br.]

ICRISAT’s pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) breeding program at Patancheru, India, has developed genetically diverse hybrid parents since 1980s. The present study investigated genetic diversity pattern between two groups of parents in this program, bred till 2004 and developed during 2004-2010. Combined analysis of 379 hybrid parents (current 166 parents and 213 previously developed hybrid parents) carried out using a set of highly polymorphic 28 SSRs detected 12.7 alleles per locus. An average of 8.5 and 8.7 SSR alleles per locus were found in previously developed and current parents, respectively, indicating marginal improvement in the levels of genetic diversity of hybrid parents in this program. Distance matrix differentiated these current and previously developed hybrid parents into 2 separate clusters, indicating infusion of new genetic variability over time as reflected by development of more genotype-specific alleles. Also, the seed and restorer parents were found clearly separated from each other in both the sets with few crossovers, indicating existence of two diverse and broad-based pools in hybrid parents of pearl millet. Restorer parents (R-lines) were found more diverse than seed parents (B-lines), as higher average gene diversity was detected among R-lines (0.70) than B-lines (0.56), though variation between B- and R-lines was found reduced in newly developed lines to 9.22% from 16.98% in previously developed lines. Results suggested that newly developed lines were as much divergent when compared with previously developed lines, indicating that current ICRISAT pearl millet breeding program was moving towards development of diverse new hybrid parental lines. The study suggested use of trait-specific donors in B- and R-lines separately to maintain sufficient genetic distance between seed and restorer breeding lines. It was pointed out to cross parents having higher genetic distance within the seed (B-lines) and restorer (R-lines) breeding programs to derive diverse and productive hybrid parental lines in future.

A Unified Newtonian-Relativistic Quantum Resolution of the Supposedly Missing Dark Energy of the Cosmos and the Constancy of the Speed of Light

Time dilation, space contraction and relativistic mass are combined in a novel fashion using Newtonian dynamics. In this way we can surprisingly retrieve an effective quantum gravity energy-mass equation which gives the accurate experimental value of vacuum density. Furthermore Einstein’s equation of special relativity E = mc2, where m is the mass and c is the velocity of light developed assuming smooth 4D space time is transferred to a rugged Calabi-Yau and K3 fuzzy Kahler manifolds and revised to become E=(mc2)/(22), where the division factor 22 maybe interpreted as the compactified bosonic dimensions of Veneziano-Nambu strings. The result is again an accurate effective quantum gravity energy-mass relation akin to the one found using Newtonian dynamics which correctly predicts that 95.4915028% of the energy in the cosmos is the hypothetical missing dark energy. The agreement with WMAP and supernova measurements is in that respect astounding. In addition different theories are used to check the calculations and all lead to the same quantitative result. Thus the theories of varying speed of light, scale relativity, E-infinity theory, M-theory, Heterotic super strings, quantum field in curved space time, Veneziano’s dual resonance model, Nash Euclidean embedding and super gravity all reinforce, without any reservation, the above mentioned theoretical result which in turn is in total agreement with the most sophisticated cosmological measurements which was deservingly awarded the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics. Finally and more importantly from certain viewpoints, we reason that the speed of light is constant because it is a definite probabilistic expectation value of a variable velocity in a hierarchical fractal clopen, i.e. closed and open micro space time.

Genetic Distance Estimated by RAPD Markers and Performance of Topcross Hybrids in Popcorn

The purpose of this study was to investigate the diversity of 14 popcorn populations and a broad genetic base tester using molecular RAPD markers and to estimate the correlation between the genetic distances and the performance of top-cross hybrids. For the evaluation of populations and hybrids resulting from topcrosses, the reduced model of Gardner was used. A genetic distance matrix was generated based on RAPD markers by Jaccard coefficient, and a dendrogram was constructed. In general, topcrosses performed better than the populations per se and evidenced heterosis occurrence in topcrosses. The trait grain weight is influenced by additive as much as by dominance effects. Genetic associations separated the populations in three groups, and RAPD showed to be a useful tool to determine the extension of genetic diversity in popcorn populations and to place genotypes in distinct heterotic groups. Correlations between genetic divergences, detected by RAPD, and the means observed in the topcross crosses were positive and non-significant for expansion volume, plant height, and female flowering, and were negative for grain weight.

Mohamed El Naschie’s Revision of Albert Einstein’s E=m_(0)c^(2):A Definite Resolution of the Mystery of the Missing Dark Energy of the Cosmos

The Egyptian engineering scientist and theoretical physicist Mohamed El Naschie has found a definite resolution to the missing dark energy of the cosmos based on a revision of the theory of Relativity. Einstein’s equation of special relativity E = m0c2, where m0 is the controversial rest mass and c is the velocity of light developed in smooth 4D space-time was transferred by El Naschie to a rugged Calabi-Yau and K3 fuzzy Kahler manifold. The result is an accurate, effective quantum gravity energy-mass relation which correctly predicts that 95.4915028% of the energy in the cosmos is the missing hypothetical dark energy. The agreement with WMAP and supernova measurements is astounding. Different theories are used by El Naschie to check the calculations and all lead to the same quantitative result. Thus the theories of varying speed of light, scale relativity, E-infinity theory, M-theory, Heterotic super strings, quantum field in curved space-time, Veneziano’s dual resonance model and Nash’s Euclidean embedding all reinforce, without any reservation, the above mentioned theoretical result of El Naschie which in turn is in total agreement with the most sophisticated cosmological measurement. Incidentally these experimental measurements and analysis were awarded the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics to Adam Riess, Brian Schmidt, and Saul Perlmutter.

Genetic Variation of Inbred Lines of Maize Detected by SSR Markers

Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were used to detect genetic variation among 21 maize(Zea mays L. ) inbred lines. Forty-three SSR primers selected from 69 primers gave stable amplification profiles, which could be clearly resolved on 3% Metaphor agarose gel, and produced 127 polymorphic amplified fragments.The average number of alleles per SSR locus was 2.95 with a range from 2 to 7. The polymorphism information content (PIC) for the SSR loci varied from 0.172 to 0.753 with an average of 0.511. Genetic similarities among the 21 lines ranged from 0.480 between the combination of Zhongzi451 vs. K12 up to 0.768 between CA156 vs. Ye478. The cluster analysis showed that 21 inbred lines could be classified into two distinct clusters with several subclusters, which corresponded to the heterotic groups determined by their pedigree information.Eight SSR primers, which had high level of polymorphism, could allow a rapid and efficient identification of 21 inbreds. Consequently, SSR markers could be used for measuring genetic variation of maize inbred lines and assigning them to heterotic groups.

Exploration of Genetic Pattern of Phenological Traits in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under Drought Stress

Drought is the major detrimental environmental factor for wheat(Triticum aestivum L.)production.The exploration of genetic patterns underlying drought tolerance is of great significance.Here we report the gene actions controlling the phenological traits using the line×tester model studying 27 crosses and 12 parents under normal irrigation and drought conditions.The results interpreted via multiple analysis(mean performance,correlations,principal component,genetic analysis,heterotic and heterobeltiotic potential)disclosed highly significant differences among germplasm.The phenological waxiness traits(glume,boom,and sheath)were strongly interlinked.Flag leaf area exhibits a positive association with peduncle and spike length under drought.The growing degree days(heat-units)greatly influence spikelets and grains per spike,however,the grain yield/plant was significantly reduced(17.44 g to 13.25 g)under drought.The principal components based on eigenvalue indicated significant PCs(first-seven)accounted for 79.9%and 73.9%of total variability under normal irrigation and drought,respectively.The investigated yield traits showed complex genetic behaviour.The genetic advance confronted a moderate to high heritability for spikelets/spike and grain yield/plant.The traits conditioned by dominant genetic effects in normal irrigation were inversely controlled by additive genetic effects under drought and vice versa.The magnitude of dominance effects for phenological and yield traits,i.e.,leaf twist,auricle hairiness,grain yield/plant,spikelets,and grains/spike suggests that selection by the pedigree method is appropriate for improving these traits under normal irrigation conditions and could serve as an indirect selection index for improving yield-oriented traits in wheat populations for drought tolerance.However,the phenotypic selection could be more than effective for traits conditioned by additive genetic effects under drought.We suggest five significant cross combinations based on heterotic and heterobeltiotic potential of wheat genotypes for improved yield and enhanced biological production of wheat in advanced generations under drought.

Penrose Transform on <i>D</i>-Modules, Moduli Spaces and Field Theory

We consider a generalization of the Radon-Schmid transform on coherent D-modules of sheaves of holomorphic complex bundles inside a moduli space, with the purpose of establishing the equivalences among geometric objects (vector bundles) and algebraic objects as they are the coherent D-modules, these last with the goal of obtaining conformal classes of connections of the holomorphic complex bundles. The class of these equivalences conforms a moduli space on coherent sheaves that define solutions in field theory. Also by this way, and using one generalization of the Penrose transform in the context of coherent D-modules we find conformal classes of the space-time that include the heterotic strings and branes geometry.

NASA’s EM Drive Thrust from the Forces of the Quantum Vacuum of Spacetime

Building on the various manifestations of the forces latent in the quantum vacuum of spacetime such as Hawking’s radiation and Unruh temperature, we resolve a major paradox connected to an immensely important proposal by NASA scientists for constructing a practically fuelless spacecraft. In a nutshell, preliminary laboratory work shows that NASA’s electromagnetic drive project is viable and several experiments and measurements show it is real. Yet the proposal violates a fundamental principle of classical mechanics, namely Newton’s third law. The resolution of this paradox is quite straight forward in principle. It is simply the case that although the proposal seems to be based on classical mechanics and classical thinking it is only superficially so. Deep at the roots, the EM drive proposal of NASA is not classical physics but rather based on the vacuum forces of quantum cosmology and the theory of dark energy density of the universe. In fact the proposal is deeply linked to Hawking’s radiation and Unruh temperature, which is explained in some detail in the main body of the present short paper within the frame work of E-infinity Cantorian spacetime theory and D. Gross’ Heterotic superstring theory. In short the quintessence of our explanation is to regard the EM drive as a quasi electromagnetic cavity with an effective event horizon akin to that of a Hawking black hole emitting radiation causing ultimately the needed thrust to push the spacecraft forwards. In addition and by invoking fractal spacetime self similarity we show that a spacecraft will be subject to another cosmic thrust on the large scale of the entire cosmos.

Charged scalar fields in a Kerr-Sen black hole:exact solutions, Hawkingradiation, and resonant frequencies

In this study, we consider charged massive scalar fields around a Kerr-Sen spacetime. The radial and angular parts of the covariant Klein-Gordon equation are solved in terms of the confluent Heun function. From the exact radial solution, we obtain the Hawking radiation spectrum and discuss its resonant frequencies. The massless case of the resonant frequencies is also examined.

Assembly of yield heterosis of an elite rice hybrid is promising by manipulating dominant quantitative trait loci

In the past,rice hybrids with strong heterosis have been obtained empirically,by developing and testing thousands of combinations.Here,we aimed to determine whether heterosis of an elite hybrid could be achieved by manipulating major quantitative trait loci.We used 202 chromosome segment substitution lines from the elite hybrid Shanyou 63 to evaluate single segment heterosis(SSH)of yield per plant and identify heterotic loci.All nine detected heteroticloci acted in a dominant fashion,and no SSH exhibited overdominance.Functional alleles of key yield-related genes Ghd7,Ghd7.1,Hd1,and GS3 were dispersed in both parents.No functional alleles of three investigated genes were expressed at higher levels in the hybrids than in the more desirable parents.A hybrid pyramiding eight heterotic loci in the female parent Zhenshan 97 background had a comparable yield to Shanyou 63 and much higher yield than Zhenshan 97.Five hybrids pyramiding eight or nine heterotic loci in the combined parental genome background showed similar yield performance to that of Shanyou 63.These results suggest that dominance underlying functional complementation is an important contributor to yield heterosis and that heterosis assembly might be successfully promised by manipulating several major dominant heterotic loci.