Spatial modelling improves genetic evaluation in smallholder breeding programs.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Breeders and geneticists use statistical models to separate genetic and environmental effects on phenotype. A common way to separate these effects is to model a descriptor of an environment, a contemporary group or herd, and account for genetic relationship between animals across environments. However, separating the genetic and environmental effects in smallholder systems is challenging due to small herd sizes and weak genetic connectedness across herds. We hypothesised that accounting for spatial relationships between nearby herds can improve genetic evaluation in smallholder systems. Furthermore, geographically referenced environmental covariates are increasingly available and could model underlying sources of spatial relationships. The objective of this study was the

SUBMITTER: Selle ML 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7670695 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature