Estimation of genetic parameters and selection pressure in canary seed

Abstract The objective of this work was to estimate the heritability parameters and selection gains in canary seed populations under different selection pressures. The base germplasm was composed of genotypes called “original” and genotypes subjected to the mutation process with sodium azide, to create genetic variability in the population. The selection was carried out based on the cycle of canary seed plants. The plants were marked in the field and collected for subsequent evaluation and categorization. A Bayesian inference model was used to determine the precision degree of the estimates and the genetic effects. Based on the data matrix obtained, the heritability parameters were estimated for the variables panicle length, number of grains per panicle, grain mass per panicle and panicle index. The response to selection was estimated based on selection pressures, varying between 1% (the highest intensity) and 90% (the lowest intensity). Narrow-sense heritability values for the variables panicle length, number of grains per panicle, weight of grains per panicle, and birdseed panicle index were 0.28, 0.33, 0.25, and 0.37, respectively. Based on the results presented for heritability values and selection gains for canary seed, it is possible to obtain improved lines from rigorous selection pressures.