Season by genotype interaction related to broiler growth rate and heat tolerance

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of genotype by environment (G x E) interaction on the performance of commercial broilers. Temperate and hot environments were established by making use of the natural climatic differences between spring and summer in western Turkey. The experimental population was produced by a full-pedigree, randomly assigned mating scheme consisting of 29 sires and five dams per sire. The sires were considered genotypes, and the G x E interaction was evaluated by regressing sire breeding values in summer on those estimated from their spring offspring. The correlation between the two seasons for weight gain from 0 to 4 wk of age was r = 0.26, significantly lower than rho = 1 (the expectation when there is no G x E interaction). This correlation was even negative (although not significantly lower than rho = 0) for weight gain (WG) from 4 to 7 wk of age and BW at 7 wk of age. Genotype by season ANOVA also revealed highly significant G x E interaction effects on all traits. These interactions suggest the presence of substantial genetic variation in the magnitude of heat tolerance. It appeared that this variation was not random, but rather related to growth potential, where genotypes that gain more weight in the spring tended to gain less weight under the hot conditions of summer.