Multivariate diallel analysis by factor analysis for establish mega-traits

Abstract

In plant breeding, the dialelic models univariate have aided the selection of parents for hybridization. Multivariate analyses allow combining and associating the multiple pieces of information of the genetic relationships between traits. Therefore, multivariate analyses might refi ne the discrimination and selection of the parents with greater potential to meet the goals of a plant breeding program. Here, we propose a method of multivariate analysis used for stablishing mega-traits (MTs) in diallel trials.The proposed model is applied in the evaluation of a multi-environment complete diallel trial with 90 F 1 's of simple maize hybrids. From a set of 14 traits, we demonstrated how establishing and interpreting MTs with agronomic implication. The diallel analyzes based on mega-traits present an important evolution in statistical procedures since the selection is based on several traits. We believe that the proposed method fi lls an important gap of plant breeding. In our example, three MTs were established. The fi rst, formed by plant stature-related traits, the second by tassel size-related traits, and the third by grain yield-related traits. Individual and joint diallel analysis using the established MTs allowed identifying the best hybrid combinations for achieving F1's with lower plant stature, tassel size, and higher grain yield.

Selection of maize hybrids: an approach with multi-trait, multi-environment, and ideotype-design

“…In addition, this would be expected in the secondary traits in the analyses, where the oscillations caused by the G×E interaction also displayed an important factor that ultimately implies lower values of the coincidence index. Barbosa et al (2019) has found similar patterns in the study of coffee genotypes and Nardino et al (2020) revealed that the G×E interaction is a factor of disturbance after FA in maize diallel hybrids.…”

Multi‐trait selection for mean performance and stability in maize

“…Ten maize inbred lines (S 9 generation), previously selected based on their performance per se for several agronomic traits (e.g., tolerance to the main leaf diseases, plant height (PH), EH, GY, and thousand‐kernel weight [TKW]), were included in a complete diallel cross with reciprocals (Nardino et al., 2020) by using artificial pollinations, resulting in 90 F 1 single‐cross maize hybrids. To conduct the crosses in METs, the ears were threshed, and the seeds of each crossing were split into three equal parts.…”

“…Previous attempts at using multiple traits in the selection of maize genetic material have been reported (Nardino et al., 2020; Shojaei et al., 2020). For example, a genotype‐by‐trait biplot (GTB) has been proven to be useful for exploring multiple trait data and can aid in multi‐trait selection because it graphically displays the trait associations and the trait profiles of the genotypes (Yan & Frégeau‐Reid, 2008).…”

Selection of maize lines and prediction of hybrid and synthetic means using intergroup topcrosses

“…In maize breeding, diallel analyses are one of the most common methods for generating genetic information that can be used to develop breeding strategies (Nardino et al 2020, Onofri et al 2021. It is possible to make inferences about the genetic control of the traits of interest from the information provided by the diallels, evaluate the heterotic potential and genetic values of the parents by their combining abilities, and predict the best crosses between the parents (Hallauer et al 2010, Coelho et al 2020.…”