| This study examines the heritability of seedling-stage drought resistance in rape (Brassica campestris L.) and its association with seedling root morphology. The heritabilities of seedling stage drought resistance, based on percentage survival data from 40 half-sib families grown under high and low water stress conditions were 43% and 63%, respectively. Comparisons of digital image analysis measurements of root length and measurements of root dry mass suggest that rooting depth and extent affect seedling stage drought resistance.;The second portion of this study examined the potential use of several silique-related morphological traits as indirect indices for seed number/silique and seed mass/silique, both components of seed yield in rape. Results indicate that silique length could be used as an indirect index of these two components of seed yield. |
