Correlation between RAPD-based Parental Genetic Distance and Filial Performance of Chinese Fir

RAPD based genetic distance between 30 parental trees of Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) and its correlation with hybrid performance in height (H), diameter breast high (DBH) and volume (V) as well as their variation coefficients (CV) and specific combining ability values (SCA) were calculated. Parental genetic distance was negatively correlated at0.10of significance level with SCA in DBH and V, but not significantly correlated with other factors. With the 6 groups of parents divided by cluster analysis, intra group genetic distance was not significantly correlated with hybrid performance, and medium inter group genetic distance was significantly correlated with H, DBH, and/or V at0.05 level. Hybrid value based on the number of marker loci related with volume at0.10significance level was significantly correlated with DBH and V as well as their CV at 0.01 level. The conclusions came to that RAPD based parental genetic distance would be valuably referable for parental grouping and volume significant loci be relatively great potential in parental grouping and hybrid performance prediction in Chinese fir breeding practices.