Genetics. Published Articles Ahead of Print: August 20, 2008, Copyright © 2008
doi:10.1534/genetics.108.087387


A more recent version of this article appeared on September 1, 2008.

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A Molecular Selection Index Method Based On Eigenanalysis

Jesus Ceron 1, Fernando Castillo-González 2, Jaime Sahagún-Castellanos 3, Amalio Santacruz-Varela 2, Ignacio Benítez-Riquelme 2 and Jose Crossa 1*

1 CIMMYT
2 Colegio de Postgraduados
3 Universidad Autonoma de Chapingo

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: j.crossa{at}cgiar.org.

Submitted on January 21, 2008
Revised on March 22, 2008
Accepted on 18 June 2008


Abstract

The traditional molecular selection index (MSI) employed in marker-assisted selection maximizes the selection response by combining information on molecular markers linked to quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and phenotypic values of the traits of the individuals of interest. This study proposes an MSI based on an eigenanalysis method (molecular eigen selection index method, MESIM) where the first eigenvector is used as selection index criteria, and its elements determine the proportion of the trait's contribution to the selection index. This paper develops the theoretical framework of MESIM. Simulation results show that the genotypic means and the expected selection response from MESIM for each trait are equal to or greater than those from the traditional MSI. The main advantages of MESIM over the traditional molecular selection index are that its statistical sampling properties are known, and that it does not require economic weights and thus can be used in practical applications when all or some of the traits need to be improved simultaneously.

Key Words: Selection index, eigen analysis, molecular markers, response to selection, simulation