Evolving gene banks: improving diverse populations of crop and exotic germplasm with optimal contribution selection.

ABSTRACT: We simulated pre-breeding in evolving gene banks - populations of exotic and crop types undergoing optimal contribution selection for long-term genetic gain and management of population genetic diversity. The founder population was based on crosses between elite crop varieties and exotic lines of field pea (Pisum sativum) from the primary genepool, and was subjected to 30 cycles of recurrent selection for an economic index composed of four traits with low heritability: black spot resistance, flowering time and stem strength (measured on single plants), and grain yield (measured on whole plots). We compared a small population with low selection pressure, a large population with high selection pressure, and a large population with moderate selection pressure. Single seed descent was compared

SUBMITTER: Cowling WA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5853616 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature