Genomic selection and genetic gain for nut yield in an Australian macadamia breeding population

Abstract Background Improving yield prediction and selection efficiency is critical for tree breeding. This vital macadamia trees with the time from crossing to production of new cultivars being almost a quarter century. Genomic (GS) useful tool in plant breeding, particularly perennial trees, contributing an increased rate genetic gain reducing length breeding cycle. We investigated potential using GS methods increase accelerate Australian program comparison traditional methods. study evaluated accuracy population 295 full-sib progeny 32 families (29 parents, reciprocals combined), along subset parents. Historical data ages 5 8 years were used study, set 4113 SNP markers. The traits focus average nut stability, measured as standard deviation over these 4 years. GBLUP models obtain genomic estimated values each genotype, five-fold cross-validation method two techniques: across related populations unrelated populations. Results Narrow-sense heritability stability was low (h 2 = 0.30 0.04, respectively). Prediction 0.57 predictions 0.14 when predicted Accuracy high (r 0.79) Predicted 474 g/year, more than double that (226 g/year), due halving generation Conclusions results this indicate incorporation into may reduction length, though cost genotyping appears be constraint at present.