A moving block evaluation technique for improving the efficiency of pedigree selection

Summary

Pedigree seletion on the basis of moving block adjustment encompasses a two-phase cycle per year, i.e. family selection at a number of sites representing production environments for which adaptation is sought, and individual plant selection wihtin selected families at an extra site. Family selection within sites is based on moving blocks consisting of sets of contiguous plots, the number of which varies according to the chosen selection pressure. Families are unreplicated within each site and family selection across sites is based upon the family selection index ‘F’, i.e. the number of sites at which a particular family has been selected. The use of moving blocks for control of variation in growing conditions wihtin sites, and of the index ‘F’ for exploiting genotype-site interaction early in the program, is expected to increase efficiency and to save time required to release a cultivar, as regional tests become unnecessary. In addition, the procedure allows screening an unrestricted number of families at any number of sites, in both self-and cross-fertilizing crops.