Revised calculation of the coefficient of parentage in plant breeding

TL;DR

This paper revises the calculation method for the coefficient of parentage in plant breeding, highlighting the need for a different approach when assessing strains versus individuals to avoid overestimation of inbreeding.

Contribution

It introduces a new, simple methodology for accurately calculating the coefficient of parentage between plant strains, correcting previous overestimations.

Findings

Corrected calculation method for strains

Avoids overestimation of inbreeding

Applicable to crop improvement programs

Abstract

The Coefficient of Parentage (COP) between two individuals is the expected inbreeding of their offspring. Originally exploited by animal breeders, is now a routine calculation among plant breeders as part of crop improvement programs. Here we show that the COP between strains requires a different calculation than the used to calculate the COP between individuals. Failure to do so may result in an overestimation of the amount of inbreeding. Here we provide a simple methodology to calculate the correct coefficient of parentage between strains.