A breeding program for Nile tilapia in Brazil: Results from nine generations of selection to increase the growth rate in cages. (22nd September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yoshida, Grazyella Massako; de Oliveira, Carlos Antonio Lopes; Campos, Eric Costa; Todesco, Humberto; Araújo, Filipe C. T.; Karin, Hanner Mahmud; Zardin, Aline M. S. O.; Bezerra Júnior, Jailton S.; Filho, Luiz Alexandre; Vargas, Lauro; Ribeiro, Ricardo Pereira
• Is Part Of: Journal of animal breeding and genetics. Volume 139:Number 2(2022)
• Page Start: 127
• Page End: 135
• Publication Date: 2021-09-22
• Subjects: daily weight gain -- genetic trends -- heritability -- inbreeding -- Oreochromis niloticus; Livestock -- Breeding -- Periodicals; Livestock -- Genetics -- Periodicals; 636.0820
• DOI: 10.1111/jbg.12650
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0931-2668

Abstract

Abstract: Variance components and heritabilities for daily weight gain (DWG) were estimated for Nile tilapia farmed in cages across nine generations (G1–G9) of selection in a breeding program in Brazil. DWG was measured in 16, 272 accumulated tagged animals representing 535 full‐ and half‐sib families of Nile tilapia under cage farming. The additive genetic variance showed a slight variation (0.051–0.066), and heritability estimates ranged from 0.20 to 0.33. The common environmental effect accounted for a higher proportion of the total variance in DWG, especially in the last generations (6%–24%). A genetic trend based on all data available showed a substantial increase in the DWG (about 3.3% per generation) of Nile tilapia across nine generations of selection. Furthermore, our results demonstrate ample scope for further genetic improvement.