Morphological and Commercial Characters of Brussels Sprout Androgenic R₂/R₃ Generations and Experimental F₁ Hybrids

In the years of 2005-2007 twelve Brussels sprout androgenic lines of R₂ and R₃ generations derived from four commercial cultivars: Ajax F₁, Diablo F₁, Icarus F₁, Philemon F₁ were evaluated according to marketable yield, plant height, intraline uniformity and other morphological traits important for the breeding. In 2007 twelve single F₁ hybrids obtained by the use of androgenic lines were also evaluated in comparison to their parental components. Evaluation showed extended diversity of morphological (plant height, shape of the head, uniformity) and agroeconomical characters among the tested lines. Nine lines showed good intraline uniformity and stability in R₂ generation. After selection all tested lines of R₃ generation were uniform. Experimental F₁ hybrids showed intraline homogeneity, high yield similar to Diablo and Philemon F₁ control cultivars and morphological characters typical for good quality commercial Brussels sprout. Some level of inbreeding depression among androgenic lines was observed in comparison to their donor cultivars, while experimental F₁ hybrids showed significant effect of heterosis.