Effect of gene dispersion on estimates of components of generation means and variances

The components of generation means that measure gene action and interaction at homozygous loci have expectations that depend on the degree of association or dispersion of alleles of like effect at different loci. With anything less than complete association, estimates of these components do not necessarily reflect the relative directions, magnitudes or kinds of gene action or interaction present. To illustrate these expected consequences, the F1, F2 and backcross generation of two contrasting crosses between pairs of inbred lines of Nicotiana rustica have been raised in which the same alleles are segregating at the same loci but for loci contributing to variation in final height the alleles of like effect are predominantly associated in one cross and predominantly dispersed in the other. The simultaneous analysis of the data from the two crosses show all the expected effects of the differences in the degree of association or dispersion. In the dispersion cross the effects of gene action at homozygous loci are underestimated and the interaction between homozygous loci is not detected at all. The large directional dominance component that is common to both crosses is in fact no greater than the additive component once the deflating effect of dispersion is removed, thus ruling out the presence of overdominance. No effects of association or dispersion on the components of variation could be detected nor would any be expected unless there were differences in the predominant linkage phase between the two crosses. Large and predictable effects on estimates of the number of effective factors are, however, demonstrable.