Cluster Analysis of Chinese Pumpkin Inbred Lines

A cluster analysis was carried out based on Euclidean genetic distances through UPGMA method in Chinese pumpkin inbred lines.7 important agronomic traits of 46 Chinese pumpkin inbred lines were investigated.The result indicated that 46 pumpkin inbred lines were clustered into 4 groups and the inter-groups distances was larger than that in intra-group.The genetic distances of parents were related to F1 performance and the results of cluster would increase effectiveness in the Chinese pumpkin crossing breeding.

Analysis on Combining Ability and Genetic Parameters of Main Agronomic Characters of 22 Maize Inbred Lines

The general combining ability（GCA）, special combining ability（SCA） and genetic parameter of ten characters of 22 maize inbred lines including plant height and ear height were analyzed using 10×12 through incomplete diallel cross（NC Ⅱ）.The results showed that：（1） Among the 22 maize inbred lines, the yield GCAs of11 HN 097, 11 HN 099, 11 HN 105 and 11 HN 110 were high, which were elite inbred lines to collocate hybridized combinations with strong heterosis. The yield of11 HN110 × 11 HN097, 11 HN110 × 11 HN105, 11 HN112 × 11 HN 097 and 11 HN 106 × 11 HN 104 were in the first four place. The yielding abilities, adaptabilities and yielding stabilities of the four combinations can be further identified by experiment. The heredities of the ten characters were mainly controlled by additive gene effect whereas the influence of non-addictive gene effect was small. The narrow heritabilities of plant height, ear height, ear rows, ear length, kernels per row,100-grain weight and seed-producing percentage were more than 50%. The variances were mainly caused by heredity and early-generation selection should be conducted. The narrow heritabilities of ear diameter, bare tip length and yield was low, which should not be selected in early-generation.

Combining Ability and Correlation of Ear Characteristics of Twenty Maize Inbred Lines

The combining ability and correlation of eight ear characteristics in 99 maize hybrids generated by crossing nine female parents with 11 male parents were analyzed by incomplete diallel cross （NC II ） design. The results showed that the line F6 had the highest general combining ability （GCA） for yield, followed by F7, M3, M4 and M8. All of the five lines have great potential in maize breeding. The cross combination M3xF10 had the highest specific combining ability （SCA） for yield, showing strong heterosis. Heritability analysis of ear characteristics showed that GCA variance was higher than SCA variance in ear diameter, number of rows per ear and seed rate, and they were mainly controlled by the additive gene effect, indicating that that the selections for these traits are effective at early generations. The other three traits had lower SCA, for which the selections should be carried out at late generations. The correlation analysis revealed that ear length, number of grains per row, ear diameter, number of rows per ear, 100-seed weight and seed rate had extremely significant positive correlations with grain yield per plant. Among them, number of grains per row had the most significant effect on yield per plant. Barren tip length had a significant negative correlation with grain yield per plant. Therefore, we concluded that the combinations with more grains per row and shorter barren tip should be selected to achieve high yield of maize.

Combining Ability Analysis on Yield Traits of Recombinant Inbred Lines in Hybrid Rice

A population of 140 recombinant inbred lines at F8 generation were obtained after seven successive generations of self-pollination using single seed descent（SSD） method from the F2 hybrids of three-line restorers Luhui 8258 with high combining ability and Yanghui 34. Then, the 140 inbred lines obtained above and their parents Luhui 8258 and Yanghui 34 were crossed with three different types of cyto-plasmic male sterile（CMS） lines（Gang 46 A, Ⅱ-32 A and Lu 98A） according to NCⅡ design. The resulting 426 combinations were planted at Deyang and Suining bases to test the combining ability and inheritance of five yield traits： yield per plant, panicle number per plant, filled grain number per panicle, seed setting rate and 1 000-grain weight. The results showed that the variances of both general and specific combining abilities of the five traits all reached a significant or extremely significant level at the two sites. The broad and narrow heritability of the yield traits（except 1 000-grain weight whose broad and narrow heritability were both over70%） were all below 50% at the two experimental bases, suggesting that the four traits were easily subjected to environment influence. Very significant positive correlation of general combining ability was found between yield per plant and other traits except 1 000-grain weight. The general combining ability variance showed a normal distribution among the recombinant inbred lines at two sites, right in line with inheritance of quantitative traits. So, the genes controlling rice general combining ability can be targeted by QTL mapping.

Combining Ability Analysis of Panicle Traits in Six CIMMYT Maize Inbred Lines

In this study, six CIMMYT maize inbred lines and five representative do- mestic maize inbred lines were used as parental lines. By using incomplete diallel cross design, 30 hybrid combinations were developed to analyze the general com- bining ability （GCA）, specific combining ability （SCA） and total combining ability （TCA） of seven panicle traits in six CIMMYT maize inbred lines. The results showed that CIMBL98 and GEMS13 were excellent inbred lines with good compre- hensive performance; CIMBL98 × 340 and GEMS13×Chang 7-2 were superior combinations.

Mapping of QTLs for Sheath Blight Resistance Using Recombinant Inbred Lines of Rice(Oryza sativa L.)

A recombinant inbred line （RIL） population composed of 157 lines derived from an inter-subspecific hybrid of Daguandao/IR28 by the single seed descent method was used as materials, and the quantitative trait loci （QTLs） coffering the resistance to sheath blight in the 157 RILs and the parents were detected using the toothpick inoculation method. The disease indexes of rice sheath blight in the two parents and 157 RILs were scored and the QTLs responsible for rice sheath blight resistance were detected accordingly by QTL Cartographer software. The results showed that a total of 4 QTLs （qsbl, qsb2, qsb5-1, qsb5-2） conferring sheath blight resistance were detected on chromosomes 1, 2 and 5, and their variance explained ranged from 10.41% to 36.92%. The additive effect of qsb5-1 was negative, indicat- ing that the QTLs derived from donor parent IR 28 could enhance the resistance to sheath blight. However, the additive effects of qsbl, qsb2 and qsb5-2 were positive, indicating that the QTLs derived from donor parent Daguandao weakened the resis- tance to sheath blight.

Selection of Maize Inbred Lines with High Regeneration and Susceptibility to Agrobacterium tumifacien

Ten-maize inbred lines of maize （Zea mays L.） with high-induction rate and proliferation ability of embryonic calli were selected from 70-maize inbred lines by immature embryo culturing. Some of the embryonic calli were transferred onto regeneration medium to examine the ability of regeneration, some were transformed via Agrobacterium tumifaciens C58 carrying intron-β-glucuronidase （gus） gene, and GV3301 carrying the green fluorescent protein （gfp） gene to study the susceptibility of different genotypes in maize to A. tumifaciens. All embryonic calli initiated from 10-maize inbred lines were able to regenerate into plantlets, and the regeneration frequencies of inbred lines 6010, 6038, 6015, 6051, and 6060 were 61.11%, 31.94%, 45%, 33.33%, and 56.94%, respectively, which were higher than that of other lines. Analysis of variance indicated that the susceptibility of the various genotypes in maize to A. tumifacien C58 showed a significant difference among each other, and the inbred lines 6010, 6015, 6051, 6050, 6058, 6060, 6069, 6077 were susceptible to A. tumifacien C58, of which frequency of gus expression were over 70%. Expression of GFP was observed in six-inbred lines （6050, 6015, 6051, 6058, 6069, 6077）. The inbred lines 6051, 6010, 6015, 6060, and 6050 had the high regeneration and the susceptibility to A. tumifaciens C58; and the inbred lines 6051, 6015, and 6060 had the high regeneration and the susceptibility to Agrobacterium tumifaciens GV3301.

Genetic Relation Analysis on Ramie[Boehmeria nivea(L.)Gaud.]Inbred Lines by SRAP Markers

The objective of this article is to reveal the variations of ramie inbred lines in DNA level and discuss their molecular background to provide a theoretical basis for ramie cross breeding. In the present study, the genetic relationships among 33 inbred line accessions and two wild types that originated from China and Brazil were estimated using sequence-related amplified polymorphism （SRAP） markers. The results showed that 33 out of 81 primer combinations turned out to be polymorphic and 332 polymorphism bands were obtained. On the basis of the appearance of the markers, the genetic relationships were analyzed using unweighted pair-group method of arithmetic average cluster analysis （UPGMA）, and the genetic Jaccard similarity coefficients were calculated. The inbred-lines originating from China and Brazil formed a cluster suggesting a possibility that the Brazilian cultivars could have developed from cultivars introduced from China. Within ramie inbred-lines, the groupings also indicated that the greatest genetic relationship among cultivars was correlated to the region of origin of cultivars. The results provided the evidence that SRAP was an efficient approach, suitable for taxonomic analysis of ramie inbred lines, To the authors＇ knowledge, this is the first application of SRAP marker on the systematics of ramie inbred lines.

Characterization and evaluation of rice blast resistance of Chinese indica hybrid rice parental lines

The development of resistant varieties and hybrid combinations has been the most effective and economical strategy to control blast disease caused by Magnaporthe oryzae.However, the distribution of major R genes and blast resistance characterization in hybrid rice parents has not been well investigated, resulting in their limited use in hybrid rice blast-resistance breeding. In the present study, 88 elite indica hybrid rice parental lines were evaluated with 30 isolates of M. oryzae collected from the main planting area of indica hybrid rice in China and were characterized for the presence of 11 major resistance genes using molecular markers. The pathogenicity assays showed that four types of hybrid rice parent line showed some resistance to M. oryzae. However, the proportions of highly resistant lines and the mean resistance frequency(RF) varied among the four types, with resistance in decreasing order shown by three-line restorer lines, three-line maintainer lines, two-line sterile lines, and two-line restorer lines. All 88 hybrid rice parental lines carried more than one R gene, but none carried the R genes Pi1 and Pi2. Although Pid3 and Pi9 were present only in three-line restorer lines and Pigm only in three-line maintainer lines, the remaining six R genes(Pib, Pid2, Pi5, Pia, Pi54, and Pita) were present in the four types of hybrid rice parent with significantly different distribution frequencies. The correlation between R genes and resistance reactions was investigated. The results are expected to provide useful information for rational utilization of major R genes in hybrid rice breeding programs.

Increased grain yield with improved photosynthetic characters in modern maize parental lines

The grain yield of maize has increased continuously in past decades, largely through hybrid innovation, cultivation tech-nology, and in particular, recent genetic improvements in photosynthesis. Elite inbred lines are crucial for innovating new germplasm. Here, we analyzed variations in grain yield and a series of eco-physiological photosynthetic traits after anthesis in sixteen parental lines of maize (Zea mays L.) released during three different eras (1960s, 1980s, 2000s). We found that grain yield and biomass signiifcantly increased in the 2000s than those in the 1980s and 1960s. Leaf area, chlorophyl , and soluble protein content slowly decreased, and maintained a higher net photosynthesis rate (Pn) and improved stomatal conductance (Gs) after anthesis in the 2000s. In addition, the parental lines in the 2000s obtained higher actual photo-chemistry efifciency (ФPSI ) and the maximum PSII photochemistry efifciency (Fv/Fm), which largely improved light partition-ing and chlorophyl lfuorescence characteristic, including higher photochemical and photosystem II (PSII) reaction center activity, lower thermal energy dissipation in antenna proteins. Meanwhile, more lamel ae per granum within chloroplasts were observed in the parental lines of the 2000s, with a clear and complete chloroplast membrane, which wil greatly help to improve photosynthetic capacity and energy efifciency of ear leaf in maize parental lines. It is concluded that grain yield increase in modern maize parental lines is mainly attributed to the improved chloroplast structure and more light energy catched for the photochemical reaction, thus having a better stay-green characteristic and stronger photosynthetic capac-ity after anthesis. Our direct physiological evaluation of these inbred lines provides important information for the further development of promising maize cultivars.

Identification of the miniature pig inbred line by skin allograft

Skin grafting has been used as one of the most reliable tests to determine the genetic stability of laboratory animal such as mice and rats inbred line, but no identification of swine inbred lines by skin grafting has been reported. At present, Wuzhishan miniature pig （WZSP） inbred line has acquired the F24 individuals in China. In order to verify whether WZSP inbred line had D^en cultivated successfully, allogeneic skin grafts and related research were performed on F20 individuals of WZSP inbreeding population, compared with a control group of autologous transplantation. We observed the transplant recipients＇ wounds, detected peripheral blood-related indicators interleukin-2, 4 and 10, CD4~ and CD8~ lymphocytes, and conducted hematoxylin-eosin （HE） and Masson＇s staining of skin to judge whether the immune rejection reactions occurred within 28 days after transplantation. Chr. 7 genomic heterozygosity of 48 WZSP individuals from F20 to F22 was analyzed by high-density single nucleotide polymorphism （SNP） chips （60 000 SNPs）. The result showed that there were no significant differences in graft skin, the plasma interleukin-2, 4, 10, CD4~ and CD8~, HE and Masson＇s staining results between the allograft and autograft groups, and no immune rejection occurred on the allograft group. We found that 11 genes in Chr. 7 of major histocompatibility complex （MHC） I and MHC II were homozygous which confirmed that immune antibody of the allograft and autograft groups were highly identical and also provided a theoretical basis to no immune rejection occurred on the allograft in the inbred WZSP. The result proved that the WZSP inbred line had been cultivated successfully for the first time in the world. The test methods also provide a scientific basis for the identification of swine and mammal inbred lines.

Genetic analysis and QTL mapping of stalk cell wall components and digestibility in maize recombinant inbred lines from B73 × By804

The cell wall composition and structure of the maize stalk directly affects its digestibility and in turn its feed value.Previous studies of stem quality have focused mostly on common maize germplasm,and few studies have focused on high-oil cultivars with high grain and straw quality.Investigation of the genetic basis of cell wall composition and digestibility of maize stalk using high-oil maize is desirable for improving maize forage quality.In the present study,a high-oil inbred line(By804)was crossed as male parent with the maize inbred line B73 to construct a population of 188 recombinant inbred lines(RILs).The phenotypes of six cell-wall-related traits were recorded,and QTL analysis was performed with a genetic map constructed with SNP markers.All traits were significantly correlated with one another and showed high broad-sense heritability.Of 20 QTLs mapped,the QTL associated with each trait explained 10.0%–41.1%of phenotypic variation.Approximately half of the QTL each explained over 10%of the phenotypic variation.These results provide a theoretical basis for improving maize forage quality by marker-assisted selection.

Determination of the Number of SSR Alleles Necessary for the Analysis of Genetic Relationships Between Maize Inbred Lines

The amount of molecular marker information has considerable impact on the results of studies of crop germplasm genetic relationships in crop. The number of alleles required to reveal genetic relationship in maize inbred lines is a theoretical issue that needs to be addressed. In this study, 112 pairs of SSR （simple sequence repeat） primers and 97 maize inbred lines were selected to study the relationship between the number of inbred lines and the number of SSR primers and alleles required for a stable cluster. The results showed that the number of SSR primers is not tightly associated with the stability of the cluster analysis results, while an increase in the number of alleles can significantly improve the stability of cluster analysis results. The number of inbred lines （X） is significantly associated with the number of alleles required for stable cluster analysis （Y）, and the regression equation is Y- 600.8xe（-15.9/x）. This equation can be used to calculate the number of SSR alleles required for a genetic relationship study of maize inbred lines. These results provide a reference for determining of SSR alleles number in genetic relationship analysis of maize inbred line and other crop germplasm.

Identification and QTL mapping of Z550, a rice backcrossed inbred line with increased grains per panicle

An elite backcrossed inbred line Z550 with increased grains per panicle was identified from advanced backcrosses between Nipponbare and Xihui 18 by simple sequence repeat(SSR) marker-assisted selection(MAS). Z550 carries 13 substitution segments distributed on chromosomes 1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 12, with an average substitution length of 1.68 Mb. Compared with the Nipponbare parental line, plant height, panicle length, spikelets per panicle, grains per panicle, and grain weight for Z550 were significantly increased. While the grain width of Z550 was significantly narrower, and the seed setting ratio(81.43%) was significantly lower than that of Nipponbare, it is still sufficient for breeding purposes. Quantitative trait loci(QTLs) mapping for important agronomic traits was conducted with the F_2 population derived from Nipponbare crossed with Z550 using the restricted maximum likelihood(REML) method. A total of 16, including 12 previously unreported QTLs were detected, with contribution rates ranging from 1.46 to 10.49%. Grains per panicle was controlled by 8 QTLs, 5 of which increased number of grains whereas 3 decreased it. qGPP-1, with the largest contribution(10.49%), was estimated to increase grains per panicle by 30.67, while q GPP-9, with the minimum contribution rate(2.47%), had an effect of increasing grains per panicle by 15.79. These results will be useful for further development of single segment substitution lines with major QTLs, and for research of their molecular functions via QTL cloning.

Identification of Stable Quantitative Trait Loci for Sheath Blight Resistance Using Recombinant Inbred Line

To identify stable quantitative trait loci(QTLs)responsible for sheath blight resistance,a recombinant inbred line mapping population consisting of 219 lines was developed by crossing Lemont and Yangdao 4.Average disease rating,average lesion length,maximum disease rating and maximum lesion length were assayed in six different environments.A total of 128 minor effect QTLs were detected by multiple interval mapping.These QTLs explained less than 11.2%of the phenotypic variations individually,and 106 QTLs were clustered in 20 QTL-rich regions/putative loci.Significant QTL×environment interactions were detected at three putative loci(qSBR11.1,qSBR11.2 and qSBR11.3),indicating that these three loci were not stable.The other 17 stable loci(qSBR1.1,qSBR1.2,qSBR2.1,qSBR2.3,qSBR3.1,qSBR3.2,qSBR3.5,qSBR3.6,qSBR5.1,qSBR7.1,qSBR8.1,qSBR9.1,qSBR9.2,qSBR9.3,qSBR12.1,qSBR12.2 and qSBR12.4)provided a foundation for marker-assisted selection in breeding.Analysis of allelic effect on the 20 putative loci identified 7 highly stable loci,including qSBR3.2,qSBR7.1,qSBR8.1,qSBR9.2,qSBR9.3,qSBR12.1 and qSBR12.2.

Diversity, Structure, and Marker-Trait Association Analysis of the Maize Recombinant Inbred Line Population

Association mapping has emerged as a new tool to elucidate complex quantitative trait loci in maize, but there are few reports about systematic association analysis for the specific SSR markers with agronomic traits of interest in China. We investigated the morphological and genetic diversity and population structure for 76 maize recombinant inbred lines, and then association analysis were further performed between 48 simple sequence repeat loci and 17 morphological traits, consisting of nine ear-related traits and eight other traits. The 48 SSR markers were screened out and further classified into two groups including a group of loci in regions harboring reported quantitative trait loci that affect ear shape and a group of markers distributing on the whole genome randomly. The result indicated that the population of recombinant inbred lines was structured, showing five subpopulations. Our association results revealed that there were 82, 59, and 40 significant associations detected by K-test, logistic regression, and both analysis, respectively. When the 17 traits were considered separately, the significant associations between Q-SSRs and E-traits were raised to 27.8%, whereas the other groups of combinations ranged between 2.3 and 6.3%. As the proportion of significant associations is higher among the Q-SSR subset of markers and the subset of traits related to ear shape than those for all of the other combinations, we conclude that this approach is valid for establishing true positive marker-trait relationships. Our results also demonstrated that association mapping could complement and enhance previous QTL information for marker-assisted selection.

Transfer and Detection of barstar Gene to Maize Inbred Line 18-599 (White) by Particle Bombardment

In China, the purity of maize hybrid strain is discomforting to the development of seed industrialization. Finding a new method for reproduction of maize hybrid strain is necessary. In this study, using particle bombardment, barstar gene was transferred into maize inbred line 18-599 （White）, which is an antiviral and high quality maize inbred line. By molecular detection of the anther of transgenic maize, two plants transferred with barstar gene were gained in this study, which are two restorer lines. The two plants showed normal male spike, and lively microspores. But the capacity of the two restorer lines should be studied in the future. The aim of this study is to find a new method of reproduction of maize hybrid strain using engineering restorer lines and engineering sterility lines by gene engineering technology.

Diurnal variation of gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, and photosynthetic response of six parental lines of maize released in three eras

Over the past seven decades, the grain yield of maize(Zea mays L.) has increased continuously in China, mostly due to hybridization innovations, particularly recent genetic improvements in photosynthesis. In order to reveal photosynthetic characters of elite inbred lines in different ears, a field experiment was conducted at the North China Plain of Shandong Province in China. Six parental lines of maize introduced in three eras(the 1960 s, 1980 s, and 2000 s) were investigated diurnal variation of gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, and photosynthetic response characteristic at the grain filling stage. Compared to earlier parental lines, the 2000 s parental lines always had higher net photosynthetic rate(Pn) throughout the day, especially at noon, and a mid-day depression in Pn did not occur in all hybrids parental lines. Moreover, the stomatal conductance(Gs) and water use efficiency(WUE) of the 2000 s’ lines showed higher value than those of the 1960 s’ and 1980 s’ lines. The inbred lines differences in photosynthetic parameters were partly owing to their different quantum carboxylation efficiencies and light synthase activities. Simultaneously, the 2000 s parental lines exhibited lower light and CO2 compensation points, and their higher apparent quantum yield, and carboxylation efficiency. These suggested that the modern parental lines required lower light intensity and less CO2 to maintain a relatively high photosynthetic capacity, substantially increasing leaf physical quality and stress resistance. It provided crucial information of high photo-efficiency and stress-resistance breeding in maize.

Low-Temperature Response to Major Agronomic Traits by Using Recombinant Inbred Line(RIL) Populations Derived from Towada × Kunmingxiaobaigu

Development of the recombinant inbred line populations （RILs） is important basis to detect QTLs for cold tolerance at booting stage in rice. A set of 230 RILs derived from the cross of Towada and Kunmingxiaobaigu were used for evaluation of low-temperature response on major agronomic traits of plant height （PH）, panicle length （PL）, panicle exsertion （PE）, spikelet fertility （SF）, specific spikelet fertility （SSF）, and spikelets per panicle （SPP） under natural low-temperature growing environments in Yunnan Province, China. The results showed PH, PE, and SPP were mainly attributed by genotypes. PL was mainly influenced interactively by the genotypes × environments. SF and SSF were mainly controlled by the environments. Under the five different growth environments, F values of the six agronomic traits mentioned above ranged from 4.019 to 97.284. Significant difference was revealed between the lines. Under every environment, it indicated significantly positive correlation between SF and SSF, with correlation coefficients ranged from 0.826 to 0.885. It indicated significantly positive correlation between PH, PL, and PE. Under five different growing environments, variation coefficients of the six characters ordered in SSF （66.3%） 〉 PE （57.4%） 〉 SP （37.2%） 〉 SPP （16.2%） 〉 PH （9.6%） 〉 PL （6.4%）. SSF, PE and SF were most sensitive to low temperature stress at booting stage, while SPP, PH and PL being least. The RILs of Towada/ Kunmingxiaobaigu can be used as a genetic population to investigate cold tolerance at booting stage. SSF, PE and SF are most sensitive to cold tolerance at booting stage in rice. So far the the variation of PH, PL, and SPP related to cold tolerance are not clear under natural low-temperature environment. More tested environments and years are required to identify and evaluate cold tolerance at booting stage in rice.

Evaluation of Reproductive Characteristics of 21 Highly Inbred Lines of White Leghorns Divergently Selected for or Segregating in Tumor Resistance

Reproduction performance of 21 inbred experimental lines of White Leghorns was evaluated based on samples of reproduction records over a period of eight consecutive years. Two lines (63 and 72) have been extensively used in studies, especially in research seeking for genetic and epigenetic factors underlying resistance to avian tumor virus-induced diseases in chickens. The other 19 lines are recombinant congenic strains (RCS), which were generated by crossing lines 63 and 72 followed by two consecutive backcrosses to the line 63 and then full-sib mating. In theory, each RCS processes 7/8 of progenitor background line 63 genome and a random sample (1/8) of the progenitor donor line 72 genome. All 21 inbred lines share a common major histocompatibility complex haplotype, B*2. The estimated average fertility of the 21 inbred lines ranged from 72.9% (RCS-J) up to 96.8% (RCS-P). Both progenitor lines 63 and 72 were observed with lower average fertility (82.4% and 81.6%, respectively) in comparison with the RCS except the RCS-J, suggesting a substantial polygenic component underlying the fertility phenotype. The average embryo mortality rate ranged from 14.5% (RCS-P) up to 47.0% (RCS-M). The background line 63 fell at about the middle of the range (28.3%) significantly higher than the donor line 72 (15.7%), which was among the group with the lowest embryo mortality. By definition, hatchability of fertile eggs is reversely correlated with embryo mortality. The average hatchability ranged from 26.5% (RCS-M) up to 66.8% (line 72) while the background line 63 remained (46.6%) at about the middle of the range. The variability of the average embryo mortality and hatchability observed among the 21 inbred lines indicated the two correlated traits also follow polygenic models of inheritance. Findings from this study paves the way for further investigation on genetic and environmental influence over reproductive performance of inbred lines of chickens, and particularly in understanding and improving the reproduction fitness of invaluable genetic resources like these inbred lines.