How to obtain the SolCAP tomato phenotypic data, estimate heritability on a line mean basis, and estimate BLUPs for traits.

This workshop/webinar module focuses on estimating trait heritability on a line mean basis and estimating best linear unbiased predictors (BLUPs) for traits using the tomato fruit shape, size, color, and quality data collected for SolCAP as an example.

After watching this webinar, you should be able to:

• Locate the SolCAP tomato phenotypic data
• Estimate trait heritability on a line mean basis using R software
• Estimate BLUPs for a trait on a per line basis using R software

Supplemental data and script files are provided in the "Attachments" section at the bottom of the page.

Part 1

Experimental design, data collection, obtaining sample data from SolCAP, getting started with R software for the analysis, setting the working directory.

Part 2

Importing and checking the data, visualizing the data, setting the model with nesting and interactions, treating main effects as fixed or random, installing and loading the lme4 package in R, calculating the variance components, estimating heritability.

Part 3

Estimating BLUPs (Best Linear Unbiased Predictors) for each line, selections based on BLUPs.

External Links

• Solanaceae Coordinated Agricultural Project (SolCAP) [Online]. Michigan State University. Available at: http://www.solcap.msu.edu/ (verified 4 Oct 2011).
• The R Project for Statistical Computing [Online]. The R Foundation for Statistical Computing. Available at: www.r-project.org/index.html (verified 4 Oct 2011).

Additional Resources

• Merk, H. Introduction to R statistical software: Application to plant breeding webinar [Online]. eXtension Foundation. Available at: www.extension.org/pages/60427 (verified 4 Oct 2011).

Funding Statement

Development of this page was supported in part by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Solanaceae Coordinated Agricultural Project, agreement 2009-85606-05673, administered by Michigan State University. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the United States Department of Agriculture.

PBGworks 1251

Browse related Articles by tag: plant breeding genomics