ECOLOGICAL PLASTICITY AND STABILITY OF PROSPECTIVE PEA LINES

The studies were carried out in order to assess the parameters of the adaptability of promising pea samples in terms of yield to identify the best genotypes for the conditions of middle Volga region. The work was carried out in 2018-2020 in the central zone of Ulyanovsk region. The object of the research was 10 pea samples, the standard was Ukaz variety. According to the methods of S.A. Eberhart, W.A. Russell, V.V. Khangildina and S.P. Martynova determined the adaptability of breeding samples using the following indicators: coefficient of variation (V%), homeostaticity (Hom), breeding value (Sc), stability index (Sj2), linear coefficient regression (bi), point stability estimate (Hi). On average, over three years of research, the greatest increase in yield, compared to the standard, was noted for Ulyanovskiy yubileiny variety - 0.43 t/ha. The genotypes of Ulyanovskiy yubileiny, Viridis and line 657/14 with the smallest values of the coefficients of variation - 14.6, 22.4, 23.4%, respectively, are attributed to the most stable in terms of the coefficient of variation V. The most valuable in terms of plasticity and stability were the Ukaz variety (bi=1.15 and Sj2=0.02) and line 559/11 (1.14 and 0.00 respectively). Line 621/14 (bi=1.42 and Sj2=0.15) was recognized as an intensive variety with very low phenotypic stability and line 752/14 (1.29 and 0.11 respectively), with a reduced variety. Lines 215/11, 533/14, 657/14 were distinguished by very high phenotypic stability (bi=0,91…1,07, Sj2=0,00…0,03). The highest level of homeostaticity in combination with breeding value was observed in the promising pea cultivar Ulyanovskiy Yubileiny (Hom=15.33 and Sc=1.67) and line 215/11 (Hom=7.74 and Sc=1.22). According to the point assessment of Hi stability, significant advantages were revealed in Ulyanovskiy yubileiny variety (Hi =4.22) and line 215/11 (1.33). According to the sum of the ranks of the six parameters of adaptability, the leading positions were occupied by lines 533/14 (27), 215/11 (32) and promising varieties Ulyanovskiy yubileiny (32), Viridis (32). According to the test results, two samples in 2020 were submitted for state variety testing

Genomic Selection for Milk Production Traits in Xinjiang Brown Cattle

One-step genomic selection is a method for improving the reliability of the breeding value estimation. This study aimed to compare the reliability of pedigree-based best linear unbiased prediction (PBLUP) and single-step genomic best linear unbiased prediction (ssGBLUP), single-trait and multitrait models, and the restricted maximum likelihood (REML) and Bayesian methods. Data were collected from the production performance records of 2207 Xinjiang Brown cattle in Xinjiang from 1983 to 2018. A cross test was designed to calculate the genetic parameters and reliability of the breeding value of 305 daily milk yield (305 dMY), milk fat yield (MFY), milk protein yield (MPY), and somatic cell score (SCS) of Xinjiang Brown cattle. The heritability of 305 dMY, MFY, MPY, and SCS estimated using the REML and Bayesian multitrait models was approximately 0.39 (0.02), 0.40 (0.03), 0.49 (0.02), and 0.07 (0.02), respectively. The heritability and estimated breeding value (EBV) and the reliability of milk production traits of these cattle calculated based on PBLUP and ssGBLUP using the multitrait model REML and Bayesian methods were higher than those of the single-trait model REML method; the ssGBLUP method was significantly better than the PBLUP method. The reliability of the estimated breeding value can be improved from 0.9% to 3.6%, and the reliability of the genomic estimated breeding value (GEBV) for the genotyped population can reach 83%. Therefore, the genetic evaluation of the multitrait model is better than that of the single-trait model. Thus, genomic selection can be applied to small population varieties such as Xinjiang Brown cattle, in improving the reliability of the genomic estimated breeding value.

Traditional Selection Potato Varieties and Their Resistance to the 28-punctata Potato Ladybug Henosepilachna vigintioctomaculata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in the Southern Russian Far East

Background: Henosepilachna vigintioctomaculata is a polytrophic pest, causing the greatest damage to plants from the nightshade family. The study aimed to research the resistance of potato cultivars that are promising for breeding to damage by a potato ladybug in laboratory and field experiments. Methods: In laboratory experiments, the indicators of fertility, mortality and duration of development, morphological anomalies and the effect of potato varieties on the composition of Epilakhna’s hemolymph were studied. The sample consisted of 50 individuals with a slight predominance of females. The experiment used 13 varieties of potatoes. Result: A specific dependence of the frequency of phytophage anomalies on the variety was revealed. The influence of nutrition on survival and the timing of ontogenesis has been established. The results obtained indicate the high breeding value of the material when recommending it for cultivation in regions with a high number of pests, as well as when creating new varieties.

Characteristics of population genetic and breeding parameters of the traits of milk productivity of black-and-white and Holstein cows of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Purpose: determination of the selection and genetic parameters of the daily milk productivity of black-and-white and Holstein cows to characterize the population.Materials and methods. The studies were carried out using a database formed on the basis of the information and analytical management system of animal husbandry in the Republic of Kazakhstan (RK) for daily control milking of Holstein and black-and-white cows. The sample included indicators of milk productivity for three lactations of animals bred in 43 herds: I lactation - 14 482 records (3130 cows and 391 bull fathers), II lactation - 13 656 records (2734 cows and 537 bull fathers), III lactation - 4,911 records (886 cows and 260 bull fathers).Results. Phenotypic variability indices (CvP) by lactation varied: daily milk yield - 34.1 ... 38.8%, MJ - 9.8 ... 11.6%, BMD - 6.7 ... 8.6%, SCS - 32.5 ... 37.8%. The additive genetic variability (CvA) was lower and ranged for: daily milk yield - 22.9 ... 27.0%, MJ - 3.8 ... 4.7%, BMD - 2.6 ... 3.1%, SCS - 13 , 8 ... 14.7%. The heritability of indicators of milk productivity on average for three lactations was: in terms of milk yield - h2 = 0.440, percentage of fat - h2 = 0.155, percentage of protein - h2 = 0.121, SCS - h2 = 0.161. Evaluation of the dynamics of changes in daily milk yield and SCS showed the standard nature of the shape of lactation curves with the values ​​of the determination coefficient of the phenotypic trend equation, respectively, R2 = 69.9 ... 86.4% and R2 = 11.8 ... 20.5%. An increase in the number of recorded days of control milking from 1 to 10 increased the accuracy of the forecast of the breeding value (EBV) of animals for signs of milk production by 1.7-2.4 times. Evaluation of cows by their own productivity for milk yield with optimal values ​​of forecast reliability over 70% can be carried out on the basis of 4 control milking units. At the same time, for the percentage of fat and protein, SCS, the number of observations to achieve reliable EBV results ranged from 8 to 10. Based on the average values ​​of the breeding value of cows, the population genetic characteristics of the farmed cattle in the Republic of Kazakhstan were determined in the context of breeds, country and region (population) origin. Holstein animals (+54.3 kg of milk) were characterized by the highest EBV values. Among imported cows, the best breeding value forecast was obtained for cows imported from Germany (+63.3 kg of milk). For the Kazakh population of cattle, leading positions in terms of genetic prognosis were achieved in East Kazakhstan region (KZF, +334.4 kg of milk). A principal component analysis based on an assessment of the breeding value of cows showed clear differentiation by breed level, country and region of origin of the livestock. The most significant differences were found for animals originated in the Kostanay region (KZP).Conclusion. Analysis of the results of population-genetic and breeding parameters of the characteristics of milk productivity of black-and-white and Holstein cattle showed that there are necessary prerequisites for the development of their own breeding base, increasing the efficiency of selection of animals for breeding groups.

Genomic Analysis of Purebred and Crossbred Angus Cows Quantifies Heterozygosity, Breed, and Additive Effects on Components of Reproduction

Multiple studies have quantified the production differences of Hereford Angus crossbreds compared to purebred Angus for a range of traits including growth, carcass, and reproductive traits. This study aims to quantify breed and heterosis effects on maternal performance using genomics. Thirty Hereford and thirty Angus sires were mated to 1100 Angus heifers and cows in a large commercial herd run on pasture at Musselroe Bay, Tasmania, Australia. Approximately 1650 calves were born. Heifers were weaned, scanned for attainment of puberty prior to joining at approximately 15 months of age, joined, and then recorded for status of pregnancy, calving, lactating, 2nd pregnancy, and weaning of second calf. Heterozygosity effects were significant for heifer pre-joining weight and height as well as proportion pubertal. Breed differences were significant for the same traits plus pregnancy rate at second joining and proportion rearing two calves. Genetic parameters were reported for 13 traits. On average, higher genetic merit (Estimated Breeding Value, EBV percentile) Hereford bulls were used than Angus for growth and puberty, but they were similar for fat and reproduction. Days to calving BREEDPLAN EBVs of the sires were related to puberty and reproduction. Scrotal size BREEDPLAN EBVs of the sires were related to attainment of puberty genomic EBVs calculated. In summary, breed differences in growth and puberty were due to heterosis, but there was an advantage of Hereford genes for reproductive performance. Ongoing emphasis on selection for reduced days to calving and estimation of multi-breed EBVs is important.

SELECTION EVALUATION OF THE SOURCE MATERIAL OF FESTUCA RUBRA L. OF THE LAWN DIRECTION

The aim of the research was to assess the breeding value of the source material of F. rubra of the lawn direction obtained under conditions of various ecotopes of the south of the Central Russian Upland with a predominance of carbonate substrate. In total, 106 numbers of red fescue of various genetic and geological-geographical origin were evaluated in the experiment: 4 varieties and 102 breeding samples. Tests of the breeding value of the collection numbers were carried out in comparison with the zoned varieties of domestic selection (‘Veselka’, ‘Gostenka’, ‘Iskrinka’) and foreign selection (‘Gondolin’). The forms of F. rubra have been identified, approaching erect in shape, having a high shoot-forming ability, pronounced antocian color of inflorescences, whitish bloom on the leaves, which increases the overall decorative effect of lawn herbage. According to a number of important traits for breeding for seed productivity, the forms selected in natural habitats with a predominance of carbonate substrate have wide limits of variation and can serve as genetic sources of individual breeding traits for obtaining new varieties of lawn management with high seed productivity and decorativeness.

Single-Step Genomic Analysis Increases the Accuracy of Within-Family Selection in a Clonally Replicated Population of Pinus taeda L.

The use of genomic markers in forest tree breeding is expected to improve the response to selection, especially within family. To evaluate the potential improvements from genotyping, we analyzed a large Pinus taeda L. clonal population (1,831 cloned individuals) tested in multiple environments. Of the total, 723 clones from five full-sib families were genotyped using 10,337 single-nucleotide polymorphism markers. Single-step models with genomic and pedigree-based relationships produced similar heritability estimates. Breeding value predictions were greatly improved with inclusion of genomic relationships, even when clonal replication was abundant. The improvement was limited to genotyped individuals and attributable to accounting for the Mendelian sampling effect. Reducing clonal replication by omitting data indicated that genotyping improved breeding values similar to clonal replication. Genomic selection predictive ability (masking phenotypes) was greater for stem straightness (0.68) than for growth traits (0.41 to 0.44). Predictive ability for a new full-sibling family was poorer than when full-sibling relationships were present between model training and validation sets. Species that are difficult to propagate clonally can use genotyping to improve within-family selection. Clonal testing combined with genotyping can produce breeding value accuracies adequate to graft selections directly into deployment orchards without progeny testing. Study Implications Genomic markers can improve the reliability of breeding values, resulting in a more confident ranking of individuals within families. For genotyped individuals, the improvements were comparable to clonal testing. Breeding programs for species that are difficult to propagate clonally should consider genotyping to replace or supplement clonal testing as a means to improve within-family selection. For genomic prediction of breeding values without phenotypes (genomic selection), a robust genetic relationship between model training and validation sets is required. The single-step model allows genotyping a subset of the population and is a straightforward extension of well-established methods.

GiPS: Genomics-informed parent selection uncovers the breeding value of wheat genetic resources

The great efforts spent in the maintenance of past diversity in genebanks are rationalized by the potential role of plant genetic resources in future crop improvement: a concept whose practical implementation has fallen short of expectations. Here, we implement genomics-informed parent selection to expedite pre-breeding without discriminating against non-adapted germplasm. We collect dense genetic profiles for a large winter wheat collection and evaluate grain yield and resistance to yellow rust in representative coresets. Genomic prediction within and across genebanks identified the best parents for PGR x elite derived crosses that outyielded current elite cultivars in multiple field trials.

Studying germplasm collection accessions of naked oats

Background. The breeding value of accessions from the VIR collection can be estimated only under specific climate and soil conditions. Studying such accessions helps to include them in the breeding process.Materials and methods. Forty-two accessions of naked oats of various origin were studied at the FARC of the North-East. Biochemical analysis of grain and statistical data processing using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis techniques were carried out.Results. The accessions were divided into groups according to their ripening schedule: early (up to 80 days), medium (81–84 days), and mid-late (85–89 days). High yielding genotypes were identified in each ripeness group. The plant height depended on the hydrothermal conditions of the growing season (r = 0.25). The studied accessions were all classified as undersized (64.0–99.1 cm), including the reference cv. ‘Vyatsky’ (88.1 cm). A significant contribution of some panicle productivity components to an increase in yield was observed. The protein and fat content in grain determines its nutritional and energy value. The results showed a positive relationship between yield and protein content (r = 0.44). A significant negative correlation between fat content and protein content (r = –0.61) was registered. The study of naked oat accessions showed different fat content in grain across the ripeness groups.Conclusion. According to the results of the study, some accessions were identified as sources of traits useful for breeding. The following accessions were selected as the best according to a set of characters (yield, plant height, number of grains per panicle, panicle weight, protein and fat content in grain): early ‘Litovsij nagij’ (k-15234, Lithuania), ‘Gkzalon’ (k-15299, Mongolia) and ‘MF9224-164’ (k-15090, USA); medium k-15248 (local, Poland) and MF9521-281 (k-15095, USA); and mid-late ‘Bai Yan 2’ (k-15525, China), ‘Progress’ (k-15339, Russia), ‘Visit’ (k-15501, Ukraine) and ‘Mina’ (k-15192, Bulgaria).

FACTORS OF EVALUATION OF BREEDING BULLS AND MANAGEMENT OF BREEDING POPULATIONS

В статье рассмотрены цифровой формат оценки племенной ценности инбредных быков-производителей по качеству потомства и ее влияние на последующие поколения животных. Выявление инбредного гетерозиса у производителей помогает сделать оценку быков по качеству потомства более информативной за счет определения глубины изменения параметров генетической структуры популяции и степени увеличения частоты рецессивных генов в подконтрольных популяциях. Одной из причин значительной разницы в удое, МДЖ и МДБ российских и американских коров голштинской породы являлась их удаленность от родоначальника. Другой причиной считается стремление селекционеров к инбридингу на выдающихся предков, однако в случае инбредного гетерозиса высокие показатели родителей быстро затухают в последующих поколениях потомков. Исследования были проведены в хозяйствах Московской области малой и средней производственной мощности. Для сравнения проанализированы результаты оценки быков-производителей из США и других стран с высокоразвитым молочным скотоводством. Методами изучения были имитационный и регрессионный анализ данных первичного зоотехнического учета и собственных исследований. Эксперимент показал, что быки-производители с высокими степенями родства уменьшали изменчивость признаков молочности среди дочерей: по удою — на 77,9%; по МДЖ — на 33,4%; по МДБ — на 36,0%, по сравнению с отцами, имеющими низкие степени родства. При этом в их поголовье в первом поколении повышается генетический тренд по удою на 14,3—21,4%, а племенная ценность — на 10,8—26,8%. В настоящее время в зарубежных популяциях голштинской породы широко применяют геномный метод оценки племенной ценности, при котором не требуется информация о родословных животных и не учитывается степень их родства, что отрицательно влияет на получение высококачественного потомства. Повышение племенной ценности по признакам в популяции сыновей и внуков быков-лидеров породы угасает, если в генофонде родителей имел место инбредный гетерозис. The article considers of the inbred breeding bulls breeding value by offspring quality and its impact on subsequent generations of animals’ digital format assessing. Identification of inbred heterosis helps to make the bulls’ assessment by the offspring quality more informative, by determining the depth of changes in the genetic structure of the population parameters and the recessive genes at populations frequency degree increase controlling. One of the reasons for the significant difference in milk yield, MJ and MDB of Russian and American Holstein cows was their distance from the ancestor. Another reason is considered to be of the breeders to inbreeding for outstanding ancestors’ desire, but in the case of inbred heterosis, high rates of parents quickly fade in descendants in subsequent generations. The research was carried out in the farms of the Moscow region of small and medium production capacity. For comparison, the results of the evaluation of breeding bulls in the United States and other countries with highly developed dairy cattle breeding were analyzed. The research methods were simulation and regression analysis of primary zootechnical accounting data and authors’ own research. Experimental data showed that breeding bulls with high degrees of relation reduced the variability of milk production among daughters by milk yield in 77.9%: for MJ in 33.4%; for MDB in 36.0% in compared with fathers with relation’s low degrees. At the same time, in livestock’s first generation, the genetic trend in milk yield increases in 14.3—21.4%, and the breeding value in 10.8—26.8%. Currently, the genomic method of assessing the breeding value is widely used in foreign populations of the Holstein breed, which does not require information about the pedigrees of animals, and does not take into account the degree of their kinship, which negatively affects the production of high-quality offspring. The breeding qualities of the sons of the bull leaders of the breed are quickly disabled the surge of increased breeding value by signs in the population of sons and grandchildren of bulls-leaders of the breed is fading if inbred heterosis took place in the parents' gene pool.