Approximate estimation of minimal sample size required for marker-assisted backcross breeding

Area of Science:

• Plant breeding
• Quantitative genetics
• Genomic selection

Background:

• Backcross breeding facilitates transferring desirable genes from a donor to a recipient parent.
• Marker-assisted selection (MAS) accelerates breeding cycles.
• Determining optimal progeny sample size is crucial for efficient MAS in backcrossing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a method for estimating the minimal sample size required for marker-assisted backcross breeding (MABB).
• To enable effective planning of breeding programs utilizing both foreground and background selection.
• To provide a tool for breeders to optimize resource allocation in MABB.

Main Methods:

• Developed a method combining analytical approaches for foreground selection and simulation for background selection.
• Estimated the probability of selecting desired genotypes based on simplified assumptions of introgression and genetic independence.
• Calculated the minimal sample size needed to achieve a specific probability of obtaining at least one desired individual.

Main Results:

• The proposed method provides an estimation of the minimal sample size for MABB.
• The method integrates foreground and background selection strategies.
• Successful application demonstrated through hypothesized examples.

Conclusions:

• The developed method offers a practical approach for estimating sample size in marker-assisted backcross breeding.
• This facilitates efficient and strategic implementation of MAS in plant breeding programs.
• The method is convenient for application in real-world breeding scenarios.