Effect of population substructuring on estimates of outcrossing rate in plant populations

Abstract

In plants possessing a mixed selfing and random mating system, outcrossing rate t can be estimated from progeny genotype arrays. Computer simulation studies show that if there is heterogeneity of gene frequency between subpopulations, these estimates of t are severely biased downwards, the degree of bias increasing as the true value of t increases. This effect has been demonstrated in the field using experimental populations of Ipomoea purpurea. These field studies also provide evidence for pollen “carryover” in I. purpurea. © 1982 The Genetical Society of Great Britain.