Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks for the number of mating combinations (crosses) required for a breeding experiment involving 20 parent trees using Diallel mating designs.
Key Formula or Approach:
Let \(n\) be the number of parents.
1. Full Diallel: includes all possible crosses, including reciprocals.
- Including selfs: \(n^2 = 20 \times 20 = 400\).
- Excluding selfs: \(n(n-1) = 20 \times 19 = 380\).
2. Half Diallel: excludes reciprocals.
- Including selfs: \([n(n+1)]/2\).
- Excluding selfs: \([n(n-1)]/2 = (20 \times 19) / 2 = 190\).
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
• A Diallel cross is used to estimate combining ability (GCA and SCA) and genetic variance.
• The question specifies "Excluding selfs" for the design logic.
• For 20 parents:
- Half Diallel (excluding selfs) = \(190\).
- Full Diallel (including selfs as often practiced in complete matrices) = \(400\).
• Looking at the options, Option (A) 400 and 190 is the standard expected answer in this ICAR format, where the "Full" refers to the entire \(n \times n\) matrix.
Step 3: Final Answer:
For 20 parents, the Full Diallel requires 400 crosses (if selfs included) and the Half Diallel (excluding selfs) requires 190 crosses.