Confidence intervals for heritability for two-factor mating design single environment linear models

Summary

Precision measurement is an essential part of heritability estimate interpretation. Approximate standard errors are commonly used as measures of precision for heritability on a progeny mean basis (H). Their derivation, however, is not inferred from the distribution theory for H. F-distribution based exact confidence intervals have been derived for some onefactor mating design H estimators. Extension of the confidence interval results from one-factor to twofactor mating designs is reported in this paper. Functions of heritability on a full-sib or half-sib progeny mean basis from nested or factorial mating design parameters were distributed according to the F-distribution. Exact confidence intervals were derived for heritability on a full-sib progeny mean basis. Exact confidence intervals for heritability on a half-sib progeny basis were adapted from previous results. Maize (Zea mays L.) data were used to estimate confidence intervals. Complete equations were given for interpolation in F-tables.