Department of Plant Breeding, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
*Part of a thesis submitted by the senior author in partial fulfilment of requirements for Ph. D. degree at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
The most pronounced effects of soil fertility on seed at production level of single cross and double cross, particularly in the former, is on seedling vigour and maturity.
Indication is that effect of soil fertility is not consistent but rather variable, depending on genotype. This is evident from the various level of interactions recorded between genotype X fertility (High vs. Low).
In the absence of continuous favourable high fertility environment, the effect of fertility is not cumulative to a degree of practical importance. However, various levels of interaction indicate that there may have been at least some carry-over effects of previous production levels of soil fertility.
The effect of soil fertility may not be confined to seed parent only but the production level of pollen parent may also be important.
