Kaio Olimpio das Graças Dias

Federal University of Viçosa | UFV · Departamento de Biologia Geral

Key message: We compare genomic selection methods that use correlated traits to help predict biomass yield in sorghum, and find that trait-assisted genomic selection performs best. Genomic selection (GS) is usually performed on a single trait, but correlated traits can also help predict a focal trait through indirect or multi-trait GS. In this stu...

Breeding for drought tolerance is a challenging task that requires costly, extensive, and precise phenotyping. Genomic selection (GS) can be used to maximize selection efficiency and the genetic gains in maize (Zea mays L.) breeding programs for drought tolerance. Here, we evaluated the accuracy of genomic selection (GS) using additive (A) and addi...

Statistical models that capture the phenotypic plasticity of a genotype across environments are crucial in plant breeding programs to potentially identify parents, generate ofspring, and obtain highly productive genotypes for target environments. In this study, our aim is to leverage concepts of Bayesian models and probability methods of stability...

Key message:Eucalyptusbreeding can benefit from strategies that capture dominance effects, as shown by the improvement in mean annual increment of wood volume across cycles of RRS. Abstract: There is no empirical validation of reciprocal recurrent selection (RRS) in Eucalyptus breeding. Our study helps to fill this gap by quantifying the realized r...

Recommendation of new varieties is supported by value for cultivation and use (Valor de Cultivo e Uso [VCU]) trials. For a more reliable recommendation, it is necessary to identify methodologies that make better use of the genotype‐by‐environment interaction (GEI). The methodology proposed by Dias et al. is an alternative to take advantage of the G...

Orphan perennial native species are gaining importance as sustainability in agriculture becomes crucial to mitigate climate change. Nevertheless, issues related to the undomesticated status and lack of improved germplasm impede the evolution of formal agricultural initiatives. Acrocomia aculeata - a neotropical palm with potential for oil productio...

Understanding the genotype-by-environment interaction (GEI) and considering it in the selection process is a sine qua non condition for the expansion of Brazilian eucalyptus silviculture. This study’s objective is to select high-performance and stable eucalyptus clones based on a novel selection index that considers the Factor Analytic Selection To...

Key message Incorporating feature-engineered environmental data into machine learning-based genomic prediction models is an efficient approach to indirectly model genotype-by-environment interactions. Abstract Complementing phenotypic traits and molecular markers with high-dimensional data such as climate and soil information is becoming a common...

Elephant grass is an allogamous perennial forage crop with asexual propagation, allowing plant breeders to explore heterosis and develop hybrids. However, selecting parents for diallel crossing schemes is a major hurdle in the development of hybrids. In addition, this perennial crop has several harvests, which increases the dataset size and the com...

Soybean oil is intended for various purposes, such as cooking oil and biodiesel. The oil composition changes the shelf life, palatability, and how healthy this oil is for the human diet. Genomic selection jointly uses these traits, phenotypes, and markers from one of the available genotyping platforms to increase genetic gain over time. This study...

Key message We propose an “enviromics” prediction model for recommending cultivars based on thematic maps aimed at decision-makers. Abstract Parsimonious methods that capture genotype-by-environment interaction (GEI) in multi-environment trials (MET) are important in breeding programs. Understanding the causes and factors of GEI allows the utiliza...

Probabilistic models enhance breeding, especially for the Tahiti acid lime, a fruit essential to fresh markets and industry. These models identify superior and persistent individuals using probability theory, providing a measure of uncertainty that can aid the recommendation. The objective of our study was to evaluate the use of a Bayesian probabil...

Complementing phenotypic traits and molecular markers with high-dimensional data such as climate and soil information is becoming a common practice in breeding programs. This study explored new ways to integrate non-genetic information in genomic prediction models using machine learning (ML). Using the multi-environment trial data from the Genomes...

Global climate changes can dramatically impact wheat production in Brazil’s Cerrado biome, considered a new wheat farming frontier. Therefore, new approaches are needed to better understand the G×E interaction in environments that are highly dissimilar in terms of climate variables. Here, we integrate envirotyping, adaptability, and stability techn...

Neglecting genotype-by-environment interactions in multi-environment trials (MET) increases the risk of flawed cultivar recommendations for growers. Recent advancements in probability theory coupled with cutting-edge software offer a more streamlined decision-making process for selecting suitable candidates across diverse environments. Here, we pre...

In the context of multi-environment trials (MET), genomic prediction is proposed as a tool that allows the prediction of the phenotype of single cross hybrids that were not tested in field trials. This approach saves time and costs compared to traditional breeding methods. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the genomic prediction of single cross ma...

The selection of segregating populations is a key point in plant breeding programs. These should gather favorable phenotypes for multiple target characters, which makes it difficult to identify populations with high potential. Thus, this research aims to select potential wheat populations with precocity and grain yield by multivariate and multigene...

The objective of this simulation-based study was to assess how genes, environments, and genotype x environment (GxE) interaction affect the quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping efficiency. The simulation software performed 50 samplings of 300 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from a F2, which were assessed in six environments. The RILs were genotype...

Simulations demonstrated that estimates of realized genetic gain from linear mixed models using regional trials are biased to some degree. Thus, we recommend multiple selected models to obtain a range of reasonable estimates. Genetic improvements of discrete characteristics are obvious and easy to demonstrate, while quantitative traits require reli...

Key message We propose an enviromics prediction model for cultivar recommendation based on thematic maps for decision-makers. Parsimonious methods that capture genotype-by-environment interaction (GEI) in multi-environment trials (MET) are important in breeding programs. Understanding the causes and factors of GEI allows the utilization of genotype...

For popcorn, obtaining and identifying haploids are still challenging steps. We aimed to induce and screen haploids in popcorn using the Navajo phenotype, seedling vigor, and ploidy level. We used the Krasnodar Haploid Inducer (KHI) in crosses with 20 popcorn source germplasms and five maize controls. The field trial design was completely randomize...

Theobroma grandiflorum is a perennial fruit tree native to the Amazon region. As a perennial species with continuous production throughout the years, breeders should seek well‐conducted trials, accurate phenotyping and adequate statistical models for genetic evaluation and selection that can leverage the information provided by the repeated measure...

The purpose of plant breeding is the genetic improvement of plant characteristics. For discrete characteristics such as flower color, the genetic improvements are obvious and easy to demonstrate; however, for characteristics that are measured on continuous scales, the genetic contributions are incremental and less obvious. Incremental changes to su...

Maintaining the past decades current genetic gains for tree species is a challenging task for foresters and tree breeders due to biotic and abiotic factors. Planting a mixture of genotypes or clonal composites can be an alternative to increase the phytosanitary security and yield of forest plantations. These clonal composites are more complex than...

Jatropha curcas has become a prominent source of biofuel, especially because of the high oil content in its fruit. The aim of this study was to test different statistic models and compare the best-fitted model with the compound symmetry model and study the grain yield persistence of J. curcas progenies. A total of 730 individuals from 73 half-sib f...

For popcorn, obtaining and identifying haploids are still challenging steps. We aimed to induce and screen haploids in popcorn using the Navajo phenotype, seedling vigor and ploidy level. We used the Krasnodar Haploid Inducer (KHI) in crosses with 20 popcorn source germplasms and five maize controls. The field trial design was completely randomized...

Genotype‐by‐environment interaction (GEI) is a major concern in tropical maize breeding. Here, we used factor analytic mixed models (FAMM) to study GEI in a tropical maize dataset. Our goal was to select high‐performance and stable hybrids using factor analytic selection tools (FAST) derived from FAMM outputs. Because the dataset comprised two diff...

Global climate changes can dramatically impact wheat production in Brazil's Cerrado biome, considered a new wheat farming frontier. Therefore, new approaches are needed to better understand the G×E interaction in environments with high climate variations. Here, we integrate envirotyping, adaptability, and stability techniques to better understand t...

The optimization of perennial plant breeding necessarily involves the evaluation of multi-harvest and/or multi-site trials. In these situations, modeling covariance structures can elevate accuracy. This study aimed to evaluate different covariance structures for multi-harvest and multi-site trial analyses, using two datasets (D1 and D2). In D1, 25...

Theobroma grandiflorum is a perennial fruit-bearing species with a long breeding cycle (~ 12 years). In multi-harvest data analyses, one frequently observes heteroscedasticity and genetic/statistical imbalance, which requires adequate statistical methods. This study aimed to (i) compare multi-harvest models with homogenous and heterogeneous residua...

Pedigree-based best linear unbiased prediction (pBLUP) is an effective method for genetic evaluation. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of pBLUP to develop superior inbred lines, using field and simulated data. This study was based on the data of 30,986 plants from six S0 generations and eight inbred progeny trials (S1–S4), per...

An accurate and efficient statistical method for repeated measures analysis and selection of scion/rootstock combinations (SRC) is a fundamental prerequisite for genetic progress in ‘Tahiti’ acid lime breeding. Thus, this work aimed: (i) to evaluate the applicability and efficiency of random regression models in the analysis of repeated measures an...

Theobroma grandiflorum is a perennial fruit-bearing species with a long breeding cycle (~ 12 years). In multi-harvest data analyses, one frequently observes heteroscedasticity and genetic/statistical imbalance, which requires adequate statistical methods. This study aimed to compare the adequacy of multi-harvest models with homogenous and heterogen...

Soybean ( Glycine max (L.) Merr.) provides plant based protein for global food production and is extensively bred to create cultivars with greater productivity in distinct environments. Plant breeders evaluate new soybean genotypes using multi-environment trials (METs). Application of METs assume that trial sites provide representative environmenta...

Aluminum is an element commonly found in acid soils, notably known by their pH values ranging around 5. At soil pH values at or below pH 5, aluminum may drastically interfere with phosphorus uptake by plants, inhibit root growth, and induce cell death. This study aimed to assess the tolerance of Coffea arabica cv. Catiguá MG2 seedlings in a solutio...

Understanding the genotype‐by‐environment interactions (GEI) is crucial to release sweet sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] cultivars with stable and high agronomic performance under tropical environments. Therefore, linear mixed models could be used to face this challenge by leveraging the biological process of GEI into cultivar recommendation....

Genomic selection has been implemented in several plant and animal breeding programs and it has proven to improve efficiency and maximize genetic gains. Phenotypic data of grain yield was measured in 147 maize (Zea mays L.) single‐cross hybrids at 12 environments. Single‐cross hybrids genotypes were inferred based on their parents (inbred lines) vi...

Breeding for yield and fruit quality traits in passion fruits is complex due to the polygenic nature of these traits and the existence of genetic correlations among them. Therefore, studies focused on crop management practices and breeding using modern quantitative genetic approaches are still needed, especially for Passiflora alata, an understudie...

Understanding the crop diversity is critical for a successful breeding program, helping to dissect the genetic relationship among lines, and to identify superior parents. This study aimed to investigate the genetic diversity of maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines and to verify the relationship between genetic diversity and heterotic patterns based on...

Key message Weighted outperformed unweighted genomic prediction using an unbalanced dataset representative of a commercial breeding program. Moreover, the use of the two cycles preceding predictions as training set achieved optimal prediction ability. Abstract Predicting the performance of untested single-cross hybrids through genomic prediction (...

The objective of this study was to compare the selection of plants bred by different pedigree methods using selection among, among and within and only within families. The haploid induction rate of 14 S0:1 and seven S2:3 families, all crossed with the single-cross hybrid GNZ9501, was evaluated. An experimental area of the Department of Biology of t...

The breeding program of Urochloa ruziziensis evaluates many genotypes in initial phases. Evaluations through grades might make the selection less costly. The aim of this study was to verify the efficiency of visual selection for green biomass yield in relation to different selection strategies, such as mass selection by phenotypic mean, BLUP (Best...

In most cases, in genetic breeding of Arabica coffee, plot size is defined in an empirical manner. It is often based only on the experience of the breeders and the availability of resources, potentially leading to a reduction in precision. Therefore, the aim of this study was to estimate the size of the experimental plot for evaluation of coffee yi...

Breeding for yield and fruit quality traits in passion fruits is complex due to the polygenic nature of these traits and the existence of genetic correlations among them. Therefore, studies focused on crop management practices and breeding using modern quantitative genetic approaches are still needed, especially for Passiflora alata, an understudie...

The aim of this study was to identify maize haploid plants and compare the efficiency of identification of maize haploid plants using the R1-nj morphological marker, plant vigor, flow cytometry, chromosome counting, and microsatellite molecular markers under tropical conditions. We also established a protocol for chromosome duplication in maize hap...

Water deficit is one of the most common causes of severe crop-production losses worldwide in maize (Zea mays L.). The main goal of this study was to infer about genotype × environment interaction (G × E) and to estimate genetic correlations between drought tolerance traits in maize using factor analytic (FA) multiplicative mixed models in the conte...

Plant breeding strategies are constantly refined to increase efficiency during the selection process. Consequently, the aims of this study were to examine genetic control and efficiency of selection based on the per se performance of maize lines and based on hybrid performance in reaction to white spot, common rust, and ear rot diseases in maize br...

Introdução O milho (Zea mays L.) é um cereal amplamente utilizado para alimentação humana e animal, destacando-se como a cultura de maior produção mundial de grãos. O Brasil é o terceiro maior produtor mundial de milho, com estimativa de 16,1 milhões de hectares de área colhida, e produção total estimada em 83,8 milhões de toneladas para a safra 20...

In maize, the fungi that cause Fusarium ear rot result not only in decreased grain yield and quality, but also grain contamination by fumonisin. This study investigated the inheritance of fumonisin contamination resistance (FCR) in tropical maize, based on a multi-environment trials diallel analysis via mixed models. For this purpose, based on 13 i...

Popcorn is widely consumed in Brazil, yet there are few breeding programs for this crop. Recurrent selection (RS) is a viable breeding alternative for popcorn; however, the gains achieved must be frequently checked. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of selection for grain type (round and pointed) after four cycles of phenotypic RS on t...

Artificial chromosome duplication is one of the most important process in the attainment of doubled haploids in maize. This study aimed to evaluate the induction ability of the inducer line KEMS in a tropical climate and test the efficiency of the R1-Navajo marker by flow cytometry to evaluate two chromosome duplication protocols and analyze the de...

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of 119 full sib progenies of the fifth cycle of reciprocal recurrent selection (RRS) derived from of Universidade Federal de Lavras maize breeding program. The experiment was carried out in an 11 x 11 triple lattice design at two locations (Lavras, Lambari). The plots consisted of two rows...

In this study, we examined the genetic control of the number of leaves above the first ear in maize. The F2 generations and the backcrosses were obtained from 2 contrasting lines for this trait. All generations were assessed in a completely randomized block design with 2 replications. The number of leaves above the ear was counted when the plants w...

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a necessidade de bordadura e estimar o tamanho ótimo de parcela em experimentos para avaliação de Urochloa ruziziensis. Foram avaliadas a altura das plantas e a produção de massa verde de oito progênies de meio-irmãos de U. ruziziensis, em dois cortes. Utilizou-se o delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com quatro r...

The aim of this study was to identify, within the germplasm bank of the Minas Gerais state, Coffea arabica L. accessions with low levels of caffeine and check the correlation between grain and leaves in seedling stage, making possible the practice of early selection. Seventy-five coffe accessions (cultivars, hybrids and several wild genotypes) were...