Inbreeding depression and dominance-suppression competition after inbreeding in rapeseed (Brassica napus)

Rapeseed plants, of the summer annual variety Topas, that had been selfed twice consecutively were compared to outcrossed half-sibs for inbreeding depression in a rapeseed population at mating equilibrium. The effect of dominance-suppression competition was included in the effect of inbreeding. Both female-and male-fitness characters showed significant inbreeding depression. Biomass decreased 17% with inbreeding and was highly correlated with seed weight. The total number of flowers decreased 15% with inbreeding. There was a significant effect of lines. The possible importance of experimental design in studies that estimate inbreeding depression is discussed.