Genetic parameters, prediction, and selection in a white Guinea yam early‐generation breeding population using pedigree information

Abstract

Better understanding of the genetic control of traits in breeding populations is crucial for the selection of superior varieties and parents. This study aimed to assess genetic parameters and breeding values for six essential traits in white Guinea yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir.) breeding populations. For this, pedigree-based best linear unbiased prediction (P-BLUP) was used. The results This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. 2 revealed significant nonadditive genetic variances and medium to high (0.45-0.79) broad-sense heritability estimates for the traits studied. The pattern of associations among the genetic values of the traits suggests that selection based on a multiple-trait selection index has potential for identifying superior breeding lines. Parental breeding values predicted using progeny performance identified 13 clones with high genetic potential for simultaneous improvement of the measured traits in the yam breeding program. Subsets of progeny were identified for inter-mating or further variety testing based on additive genetic and total genetic values. Selection of the top 5% progenies based on the multi-trait index revealed positive genetic gains for fresh tuber yield (t ha-1), tuber yield (kg plant-1), and average tuber weight (kg). However, genetic gain was negative for tuber dry matter content and yam mosaic virus resistance in comparison with standard varieties. Our results show the relevance of P-BLUP for the selection of superior parental clones and progenies with higher breeding values for interbreeding and higher genotypic value for variety development in yam.

Genetic Parameters and Selection in Full-Sib Families of Tall Fescue Using Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) Analysis of Animal Breeding and Genetic

“…Yield performance, persistence or stability of grasses are greatly affected by climate conditions [27,28]; therefore, it is important to assess genotypes during consecutive years and release cultivars with improved productivity and persistence. In breeding of perennial forage grasses, better understanding of the genetic variability and inheritance of economic traits are vital for identi cation and selection of preferable genotypes with possible utility in speci c breeding programs such as developing productive varieties [9,11,15,29]. In most studies in grass species, half-sib families derived from polycrosses are extensively used for genotypic evaluation, while full-sib families have been less considered in this regards [11,13,30].…”

“…Selecting the right parents for create new genetic variants and choosing preferable recombinants or favorable progenies with desire characteristics are critical steps in the breeding programs [9,10]. Therefore, knowledge on the genetic diversity, heritable variations, and genetic correlation among the selection characters is essential for selecting superior genotypes and improving the e ciency of breeding programs [11,12].…”

“…The utility of incorporating pedigree information in the evaluation of plant production has been illustrated in some plant species [16,17]. Integrating genetic relations based on pedigree information increases the precision prediction in breeding experiments, helping to distinguished desirable parent genotypes for future crosses, as well as detect promising families or progenies for commercial expansion [9,16,18]. The use of restricted maximum likelihood (REML) followed by the best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) is the most e cient method, for estimation of genetic parameters and prediction breeding values and identi cation of favorable individuals in the selected breeding populations [17,19].…”

“…Abu-Ellail et al [20] used the BLUP method to evaluate 19 sugarcane families at single stool stage of breeding program, estimate genetic parameters, and predict genetic values by analysis individuals within families. Asfaw et al [9] con rmed that the BLUP procedure had great e ciency in selection of superior parental clones and progenies with higher genotypic and breeding values for cultivar development in yam. Acharya et al [15] used the BLUP method in alfalfa to generate information concerning genetic parameters, obtain genotypes rankings, and select families with preferable agronomic traits.…”

Low Soil Nutrient Tolerance and Mineral Fertilizer Response in White Guinea Yam (Dioscorea rotundata) Genotypes

“…It is a highly valuable crop in the food and cultural systems of West Africa (Asiedu and Sartie, 2010), where 66.8 million tons (93%) of the global production occurs (FAOSTAT, 2020). Among the cultivated species, the white Guinea yam (D. rotundata) is the most planted, produced and consumed yam in West Africa (Asfaw et al, 2020). The yam production in West Africa has increased from 14.5 million tons in 1988 to 66.8 million tons in 2018.…”