The use of doubled haploids in barley breeding. 3. An assessment of multivariate cross prediction methods

Abstract

Following a previous report on the use of the univariate method of predicting the properties of inbred lines produced by single seed descent, predictions are now reported for two or more characters simultaneously. Bivariate, trivariate and quadrivariate predictions have been made using genetical parameters estimated from F₃ and doubled haploid (DH) populations. The additive genetic and phenotypic correlations between pairs of characters were compared for their efficiency in generating predictions. The phenotypic correlations did not appear to result in less accurate predictions.

In general, estimates of genetical parameters obtained from F₃ families resulted in a more accurate ranking of crosses than the corresponding DH system. An alternative method of ranking crosses based on the proportion of lines falling into pre-defined phenotypic classes was examined. Although preliminary, this form of “progeny testing” based on F₃ families holds promise as a simple method of identifying crosses with the most potential.