Perspectives for the use of quantitative genetics in breeding of autogamous plants

Abstract

With the increased demand for food, the use of methods and alternatives that increase efficiency in selection of inbred lines is necessary. The use of quantitative genetics plays an important role in this respect, especially when the pedigree method is used in autogamous plants. This study proposes the inclusion of relationship information among progenies using the best linear unbiased predictor (BLUP) to obtain the breeding values of greater accuracy and, consequently, increase genetic gains from the selection. A strategy is proposed that aims to accelerate the program of obtaining perennial plant inbreds and use the greatest amount of information possible in selection so as to attain maximum accuracy. In that way, it would be possible to make inbreds available which are better than the existing ones, with greater frequency, meeting the agribusiness demand involved in production of perennial plants.