A study has been made of the quality properties of 12 home-grown varieties of black-currant. Samples were obtained from six localities over a period of three years. The properties studied consisted of the aroma number, the organoleptic evaluation, and the degree of ripeness. As regards aroma number, great variations were noted between the samples. The influence of variety was rather slight. In general, the aroma numbers were higher when the summer was cool and the growing locality more to the north, probably by reason of the losses of volatile reducing substances at higher temperatures. The utility of the aroma number in characterization of quality seems limited in scope. Smell and taste were taken as the main criteria in the organoleptic evaluation. The differences between the varieties were not very great, but in any event a relatively consistent sequence was discovered. Consideration is given to some factors which influence organoleptic properties. The degree of ripeness of the samples, and the effect of this factor on the quality properties, were studied. The degree of ripeness displays a correlation with the corresponding effective temperature totals. Here, the effect of the ripeness factor on the results was only slight, as unripe berries were removed from the samples before analysis. However, some effect may have remained, to some degree influencing the colour strength, but the organoleptic properties to a lesser degree.

Three methods of estimating dominance were applied to F₁ data on plant height, panicle number, heading date, number of spikelets per panicle, number of panicles per plant, and grain yield from the 15 diallel crosses among 6 oat varieties. Genotypic correlations and heritability percentages, in the broad sense, were calculated for the F₂. In general, the dominance values from the 3 methods of estimation were in good agreement with one another and with the observed effects. Overdominance was indicated for number of panicles per plant in the F₁ whereas estimates for yield ranged from partial to overdominance. Partial dominance was indicated for short panicles and plant height. Earliness of heading was partially dominant in both the F₁ and F₂ and few spikelets per panicle were partially dominant. The heritability percentages were 33, 53, 54, 61, 74, and 87 for number of panicles per plant, grain yield, panicle length, plant height, number of spikelets per panicle, and heading date, respectively. The genetic correlations between plant height, panicle length, number of spikelets, heading date, and grain yield were positive, and most of them were relatively high. The heritability percentages and high levels of dominance for yield and panicles per plant observed in the F₁ indicate that selection for these attributes should be delayed until later generations. Selection for plant height, panicle length, number of spikelets and heading date should be feasible in early generations.

Genetic variability and interrelationships of six characters in the cross of two maize populations were investigated. An evaluation of the epistatic components of variation received primary consideration. Design I and II mating schemes were employed in the study. Results for yield indicated that the magnitudes of the additive variance and the dominance variance were similar. Additive variance was found to be larger than dominance variance for ear number, days to tassel, tiller number, plant height, and ear height. Epistatic variability was not detected in the interpopulation variance component analyses for the characters studied. Sizeable genetic interrelationships were indicated between: (1) yield and number of ears; (2) number of ears and number of tillers; (3) days to tassel and plant height; (4) days to tassel and ear height; and (5) plant height and ear height.

The inheritance mechanisms of seven plant and seed characters were studied in the F₁, backcrosses and segregating generations from the cross of two winter wheat varieties differing in plant height and other characteristics. Evidence for the control of plant height by three major gene pairs was obtained. Additive gene action accounted for most of the plant height variance. Maturity was controlled by a single dominant gene pair for earliness. A bimodal F₂ frequency distribution for kernel weight indicated operation of a relatively few genes. Heterosis for high yield was evident. The 4380-pounds-per-acre yield of the F₁ exceeded the most productive parent by 12.9%. Heavy kernel weight and, to a lesser extent, number of spikes per plant contributed to the high yield of the F₁. The genetic expression of spike length and number of rachis internodes was completely additive. Heritability percentages for plant height, spike length, maturity, and kernel weight were sufficiently high to indicate that selection in the F₂ for these traits could be effective. Selection for number of rachis internodes, number of tillers, or grain yield would be ineffective. Plant height was significantly correlated with kernel weight, spike length, maturity, grain yield, number of spikes per plant, and number of rachis internodes.

seedling establishment of placing more than one seed in a seed-spot or hill. Crested wheatgrass (Agropyron desertorum (Fisch. ex Link.) Schult.), pubescent wheatgrass (Agropyron tricbophorum (Link) Richt.) and Russian wildrye (Elymus junceus Fisch.) were planted at 2 locations in northern Colorado in seed-spots that contained 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, or 8 seeds per spot. At Fort Collins, the number of seedlings produced per seed planted was reduced as the number of seeds per spot was increased. At the second location, north of Nunn, Colorado, the effects of number of seeds per spot were not consistent.