General combining ability (GCA) referencing additive genetic effects and specific combining ability (SCA) referencing nonadditive effects have been applied for decades in maize (Zea mays L.) breeding and other crops to produce greater genetic gains in crop breeding. This study examined the magnitude of GCA and SCA for cane yield and evaluated potential for application in sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) breeding. Data were collected from unselected first‐stage breeding populations sourced from the irrigated, midlands (high‐altitude), and coastal breeding programs of the South African Sugarcane Research Institute. Cane yield data calculated from number of stalks, stalk height, and stalk diameter was analyzed using best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) analysis where female and male effects (GCA) and female × male interaction effects (SCA) were defined as random effects. There were significant (P < .05) female but nonsignificant male effects. Female × male interaction was highly significant (P < .001) and larger than both female and male effects, indicating higher SCA than GCA. Specific combining ability variance was 24% (midlands), 31% (coastal), and 57% (irrigated) higher than GCA. Genotypes with low GCA produced higher SCA. Crosses from parents originating from different breeding backgrounds produced higher SCA than those from the same backgrounds. Crosses with significant SCA produced 24–42% greater cane yield than those with nonsignificant SCA. Using GCA to develop parents with high breeding values and SCA to evaluate parent cross combinations will maximize exploitation of heterosis in sugarcane breeding. The results suggest the possibility to develop heterotic groups that are diverse and complementary as a strategy to optimize utilization of SCA.

中文翻译：

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甘蔗产量的一般和特殊结合能力以及对甘蔗育种的影响

涉及累加遗传效应的一般结合能力（GCA）和涉及非累加效应的特定结合能力（SCA）已在玉米（Zea mays L.）育种和其他作物中应用了数十年，以在作物育种中产生更大的遗传增益。这项研究检查了GCA和SCA的甘蔗产量，并评估了其在甘蔗中的应用潜力（糖精spp。）繁殖。数据来自南非甘蔗研究所的灌溉，中部地区（高海拔）和沿海育种计划中未选定的第一阶段育种种群。使用最佳线性无偏预测（BLUP）分析来分析从茎的数量，茎的高度和茎的直径计算出的甘蔗产量数据，其中雌性和雄性效应（GCA）和雌性×雄性互作效应（SCA）被定义为随机效应。有显着（P  <.05）的女性影响，但男性的影响不显着。女性×男性互动非常显着（P <.001），且大于女性和男性，说明SCA高于GCA。特异的结合能力差异比GCA高24％（中部地区），31％（沿海）和57％（灌溉）。低GCA的基因型产生较高的SCA。来自不同育种背景的亲本杂交产生的SCA高于相同背景的亲本。SCA含量较高的杂交品种的甘蔗产量比SCA含量不显着的杂交品种高24-42％。使用GCA培育具有高育种价值的亲本，并使用SCA评估亲本杂交组合将最大限度地利用甘蔗育种中的杂种优势。结果表明，发展多样化和互补的杂合基团作为优化SCA利用的策略的可能性。