Simultaneous selection for grain yield and protein content in genomics-assisted wheat breeding

Area of Science:

• Plant breeding
• Genetics
• Agricultural science

Background:

• Genomic selection is a powerful tool in modern plant breeding.
• Simultaneous selection for multiple traits, like grain yield and protein content, is crucial but challenging due to negative trade-offs.
• Wheat breeding programs commonly face the challenge of improving both yield and protein content.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential and limitations of multi-trait selection for grain yield and protein content in wheat.
• To compare different genomic selection strategies for simultaneous trait improvement.
• To assess the effectiveness of genomic selection indices in mitigating the yield-protein trade-off.

Main Methods:

• Utilized extensive phenotypic and genomic data from an applied wheat breeding program.
• Compared two breeding strategies using genomic selection indices: one prioritizing protein with acceptable yield, the other prioritizing yield while maintaining protein.
• Integrated phenotypic and genomic information for a genomics-assisted selection approach.

Main Results:

• Genomics-assisted selection significantly improved prediction accuracy in preliminary yield trials compared to traditional methods.
• Genomic selection indices effectively mitigated the negative trade-off between grain yield and protein content.
• Demonstrated substantial selection response for protein yield (total seed nitrogen content).

Conclusions:

• Simultaneous genomic selection, integrating diverse breeding strategies via selection indices, can achieve significant genetic gains in wheat.
• It is feasible to develop wheat varieties with both high yield potential and high protein content, enhancing nitrogen use efficiency.
• Genomic selection offers a viable approach to overcome the yield-protein antagonism in wheat breeding.