To date, most genetic progress for quantitative traits in livestock, especially for dairy cows has been made by selection on phenotype or on estimated breeding values (EBV) derived from phenotype, without knowledge of the number of genes that affect the trait or the effects of each gene. In this quantitative genetic approach to genetic improvement, the genetic architecture of traits has essenti...

Reputable pig breeding programmes have been very successful in reducing production costs over the last twenty years through significant genetic progress in a wide variety of traits including growth, feed conversion, reduced backfat thickness and, over the last decade, litter size and litters per sow per year [1] . However, with some notable exceptions, genetic progress in many meat and eating q...

A field experiment was conducted in the experimental field of Genetics and Plant Breeding Department, Sher-e Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh to study variability in 10 F4 lines obtained through intervarietal crosses along with 8 released varieties of Brassica rapa. Significant variation was observed among all the genotypes for all the characters studied. Considering genetic pa...

Douglas-fir is the most commercially important timber species in the US Pacific Northwest due to its ecological prevalence and its superior wood attributes, especially strength and stiffness properties that make it highly prized for structural applications. Its economic significance has led to extensive establishment and management of plantations over the last few decades. Cultural treatments a...

The importance of decreasing costs of production increases as the swine industry becomes more competitive. Costs of production can be decreased through an organized selection program focused on genetic improvement in economic traits. The most competitive producers will use a swine-breeding program, which minimizes cost of production and maximizes return on investment. A clear understanding of g...

Potential Entomopathogenic Fungi a. Metarhizium spp. b. Beauveria spp. c. Verticillium lecanii d. Nomuraea rileyi e. Hirsutella spp. f. Paecilomyces spp. Genetic Improvement of EPF a) Chemical mutagenesis b) Parasexual cycle c) Protoplast fusion d) Direct genetic manipulation Mutagen In genetics, a mutagen is a physical or chemical agent that changes the genetic material, usually DNA, of an org...

Susceptibility to mastitis is in part determined by genetics. Opportunities exist for genetic improvement of resistance to mastitis but currently available means for genetic selection are limited and focus mainly on EBV for SCC and, in countries with health recording, on EBV for clinical mastitis. Further opportunities exist to incorporate available EBV for udder conformation and milking speed ...

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important legume crop worldwide. However, abiotic and biotic stress limits bean yields to <600 kg ha 1 in low-income countries. Current low yields result in food insecurity, while demands for increased yields to match the rate of population growth combined with the threat of climate change are significant. Novel and significant advances in genetic impro...

Revolutionary discoveries in biology in the 1970’s and 1980’s fueled predictions of dramatic changes in agriculture and stimulated entrepreneurial excitement and investment. Driven by continuing advances in knowledge, technology, and commercial experience, these predictions are now being realized in the marketplace. Beginning in 1994, the first wave of products from biotechnological application...