Optimized grouping to increase accuracy of prediction of breeding values based on group records in genomic selection breeding programs.

Phenotypic records of group means or group sums are a good alternative to individual records for some difficult to measure, but economically important traits such as feed efficiency or egg production. Accuracy of predicted breeding values based on group records increases with increasing relationships between group members. The classical way to form groups with more closely-related animals is based on pedigree information. When genotyping information is available before phenotyping, its use to form groups may further increase the accuracy of prediction from group records. This study analyzed two grouping methods based on genomic information: (1) unsupervised clustering implemented in the STRUCTURE software and (2) supervised clustering that models genomic relationships.

Pubmed ID: 31730478 RIS Download