<p> </p> <p>The degree of self-fertilization in a population determines levels of genetic variation and high selfing rates could thus limit future adaptive potential. Theory predicts that intermediate selfing rates should not persist, yet many plants exhibit mixed mating. Cleistogamy is a floral heteromorphism where individuals produce both showy potentially outcrossing chasmogamous flowers and closed obligately selfing cleistogamous flowers. Reproduction via cleistogamous flowers is thought to be beneficial because of their greater energetic economy compared to chasmogamous flowers but can be costly if selfing leads to inbreeding depression or accelerates the fixation of deleterious mutations within populations. Cleistogamy has evolved independently multiple times and can be used to study the maintenance of adaptive mixed mating. To investigate this, I estimated the costs and benefits of selfing in three populations of <em>Ruellia humilis </em>Nutt (Acanthaceae) in greenhouse common garden experiments. To quantify the costs, I performed hand pollinations and quantified fitness components of progeny resulting from selfing and outcrossing within- and between-populations. To quantify the relative energetic advantage of cleistogamous flowers, I measured dry flower mass, fertility, seed number per fruit, and pollen-ovule ratios of both types of flowers. I found negative cumulative inbreeding depression in all populations, indicative of selfed progeny outperforming outcrossed progeny. While the fitness consequences of between population outcrossing ranged from heterosis to outbreeding depression. When looking at the energetic benefits of selfing, I found that the cost of reproduction via cleistogamous flowers was between 3 and 14-fold less than the cost for outcrossing flowers. Finally, I combined data on inbreeding depression and the energetic costs of reproduction and found that chasmogamous flowers of <em>R. humilis </em>must provide between a 3 to a 45-fold fitness advantage to be maintained, the magnitude of which was dependent upon maternal population. Overall, I conclude that none of the existing hypotheses are sufficient enough to provide the selective advantage needed to explain the persistence of chasmogamous flowers in <em>R. humilis</em>. Without any supported explanations for the maintenance of mixed mating, the exploration of genetic constraints on the loss of chasmogamous flowers could solve this long-standing mystery. </p>

Este trabalho teve como objetivo estimar a natureza e a magnitude dos parâmetros genéticos, principalmente a heterose dos híbridos F1 e as capacidades geral e específica de combinação em cruzamentos dialélicos parciais de pimentão (Capsicum annuum). Os genitores incluíram dois diferentes grupos de linhagens. O primeiro tem quatro linhagens resistentes ao PVY (AF3267, AF3269, AF3270 e AF3278) e o segundo grupo seis linhagens suscetíveis a esta virose (AF3248, AF3249, AF3252, AF3254, AF3255 e AF3256). Os 24 híbridos obtidos, os dez genitores e o híbrido-padrão Magali-R foram testados em um delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições, em campo aberto, na Estação Experimental da Sakata Seed Sudamérica Ltda, localizada em Bragança Paulista-SP, no período de 18/10/99 a 17/03/00. Cada parcela experimental teve dez plantas totais e cinco plantas úteis. O espaçamento utilizado foi o de 0,50m entre plantas dentro das parcelas e de 1,40m entre as parcelas. Foram avaliados os seguintes caracteres: altura de planta na maturidade (APM), número de dias para o florescimento (NDF), número de dias para a maturidade (NDM), produção de frutos por planta (PFP), número de frutos por planta (NFP), peso médio de fruto (PMF), comprimento de fruto (CF), diâmetro de fruto (DF), espessura de pericarpo de fruto (EP) e número de lóculos por fruto (NL). As análises estatístico-genéticas foram feitas utilizando-se a metodologia de análise dialélica de Gardner & Eberhart (1966) adaptada por Miranda Filho & Geraldi (1984). Os principais resultados foram: 1)Valores significativos de heterose em relação à média dos genitores foram encontrados para os caracteres: altura de planta na maturidade (-13,61 a 7,15%), produção de frutos por planta (até 18,11%), número de frutos por planta (14,22%), peso médio de fruto (até 18,06%), comprimento de fruto (-12,52 a 19,53%), diâmetro de fruto (5,79%), espessura de pericarpo de fruto (até 9,38%) e número de lóculos por fruto (6,11%); 2) Foram obtidos valores significativos de heterose em relação ao genitor resistente ao PVY para os caracteres altura de planta na maturidade (-16,03 a 35,84%), produção de frutos por planta (até 60,21%), número de frutos por planta (até 47,39%) e espessura de pericarpo de fruto (até 18,38%); 3) Ocorreram valores significativos de heterobeltiose para os caracteres peso médio de fruto (até 10,37%), comprimento de fruto (até 15,74%) e diâmetro de fruto (5,60%); 4) Houveram valores significativos de heterose em relação ao híbrido-padrão Magali-R para os caracteres produção de frutos por planta (29,27%), peso médio de fruto (até 25,73%), comprimento de fruto (até -25,28%), diâmetro de fruto (até 23,58%), espessura de pericarpo de fruto (até 32,97%) e número de lóculos por fruto (13,35%); 5) Houve maior predominância dos efeitos gênicos aditivos para os caracteres altura de planta na maturidade, número de dias para o florescimento, produção de frutos por planta, número de frutos por planta, espessura de pericarpo de fruto e número de lóculos por fruto. Os efeitos gênicos não-aditivos foram mais importantes para os caracteres : número de dias para a maturidade; peso médio, comprimento e diâmetro de fruto; 6) Valores significativos das heteroses média, do grupo 2 e específica foram observados para os caracteres : altura de planta na maturidade, peso médio e comprimento de fruto, indicando a contribuição de ambas capacidade geral e específica de combinação. / This research aimed to estimate the nature and magnitude of genetic parameters, mainly the heterosis of F1 hybrids and both general and specific combining ability in a partial diallel crossing system of pepper (Capsicum annuum). The parents included two different groups of lines : the first one has four PVY resistant lines (AF3267, AF3269, AF3270 and AF3278), and the second group of parents has six susceptible lines for this virosis (AF3248, AF3249, AF3252, AF3254, AF3255 and AF3256). The 24 obtained hybrids, the ten parental lines and the check cultivar Magali-R were tested in a randomized block design, with four replications, under field conditions, at Sakata Seed Sudamérica Ltda Research Station, located in Bragança Paulista, state of São Paulo, during the 10/18/99 to 03/17/00 period. Each experimental plot had ten total plants and five useful plants. The spacing used was 0.50m between plants inside the plot and 1.40m between plots. The following characters were evaluated : plant height at maturity (APM), number of days to flowering (NDF), number of days to maturity (NDM), fruit yield per plant (PFP), number of fruits per plant (NFP), average fruit weight (PMF), fruit length (CF), fruit diameter (DF), fruit pericarp thickness (EP) and number of locules per fruit (NL). The statistic-genetical analysis were done by using the methodology of diallel system of Gardner & Eberhart (1966) adapted by Miranda Filho & Geraldi (1984). The main result were: 1) Significant values of heterosis in relation to mid parent values were found out to the characters: plant height at maturity (-13.61 to 7.15%), fruit yield production (up to 18.11%), number of fruits per plant (14.22%), average fruit weight (up to 18.06%), fruit length (-12.52 to 19.53%), fruit diameter (5.79%), fruit pericarp thickness (up to 9.38%) and number of locules per fruit (6.11%); 2) They were obtained significant values of heterosis in relation to PVY resistant parent to the characters plant height at maturity (-16.03 to 35.84%), fruit yield per plant (up to 60.21%), number of fruit per plant (up to 47.39%) and fruit pericarp thickness (up to 18.38%); 3) Significant values of heterobeltiosis occurred to the characters fruit length (up to 15.74%), average fruit weight (up to 10.37%) and fruit diameter (5.60%); 4) There were significant values of heterosis in relation to the standard Magali-R to the characters fruit yield per plant (29.27%), average fruit weight (up to 25.73%), fruit length (up to -25.28%), fruit diameter (up to 23.58%), fruit pericarp thickness (up to 32.97%) and number of locules per fruit (13.35%); 5) There was higher predominance of additive genetic effects to the characters plant height, number of days to flowering, fruit yield per plant, number of fruits per plant, fruit pericarp thickness and number of locules per fruit. The non-additive genetic effects were more important to the characters: number of days to maturity, average weight, length and diameter of fruit; Significant values of medium, from group 2 and specific heterosis were observed to the characters: plant height at maturity, average weight and length of fruit, indicating the contribution of both general and specific combining ability.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-25T19:30:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Hellen Christine Prochno.pdf: 2394554 bytes, checksum: 2bef91782af17469f52e15e3757a8eec (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-11-18 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The objectives of this study were to measure the resistance/susceptibility of the sixteen maize inbred lines to anthracnose leaf blight (Colletotrichum graminicola (Ces.) G. W. Wils.) and estimate the genetic parameters associated with resistance, as well as study the inheritance of resistance and the genic action involved in the generations descended from crosses between maize inbred lines (Zea mays L.). Firstly, sixteen maize lines were screened for resistance/susceptibility to anthracnose leaf blight in three trials conducted in a randomized block design, with four replications. The plants inoculations were performed when the plants were six to seven completely expanded leaves in two times, the second made seven days after the first inoculation. To quantify the disease severity, six evaluations were performed at weekly intervals, initiated after the first symptoms appear, by use a note scale with amplitude from 1 to 6. Were used the data obtained in the second, fourth and sixth evaluation and data of the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) to perform analyzes and estimates of genetic parameters. To study the inheritance of resistance in maize to anthracnose leaf blight, were estimated the genetic parameters of six families derived from crosses between resistant and susceptible lines to C. graminicola. Each family consisted of six generations (P1, P2, F1, F2, RC1 e RC2), which were evaluated for resistance in two trials implanted in a randomized block design in a split-plot, where in the plots were studied the families effects and in splits the generations effects, with three replications. Were used the data estimated in second, fourth and sixth evaluation for the performed the statistical and genetic analysis. The results showed the existence of genetic variability for resistance/susceptibility to anthracnose leaf blight in all inbred lines studied. The inbred lines L 04-2, L 23-1, L 87-3, L 99-4 e L 118-4 stood out for keep the resistance pattern, showing the lowest values of AUDPC in the three trials, were considered important source of resistance to C. graminicola. The estimates genetic parameters indicated low participation of environmental effects on the resistance/susceptibility expression to anthracnose leaf blight and showed the possibility of genetic gains with the artificial selection. The results indicated predominance of additive effects in the inheritance of maize resistance to anthracnose leaf blight in the six families analyzed, explaining up to 99,39% of the phenotypic variation. The high heritability coefficients (broad and narrow sense) observed indicated ease in the artificial selection process by breeding programs. The heterosis estimates were high and negatives in all families studied, revealing the ability of resistant inbred lines (LR 04-2 e LR 23-1) in transmitting the resistance genes for generations affiliated, resulting in lower disease severity. The results showed that the inheritance of maize resistance to anthracnose leaf blight is oligogenic. Predominance of additive genic action, associated with high heritability estimates and oligogenic genetic control, assuming that genetic gains with artificial selection will reach success in the breeding programs that search develop resistant maize populations to anthracnose leaf blight. / Os objetivos do presente trabalho foram avaliar a resistência/suscetibilidade de dezesseis linhagens endogâmicas de milho à antracnose foliar (Colletotrichum graminicola (Ces.) G. W. Wils.) e estimar os parâmetros genéticos associados à resistência, bem como estudar o modo de herança da resistência e a ação gênica envolvida nas gerações descendentes de cruzamentos entre linhagens endogâmicas de milho (Zea mays L.). Primeiramente, dezesseis linhagens de milho foram avaliadas quanto a resistência/suscetibilidade à antracnose foliar em três experimentos instalados no delineamento de blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. As inoculações das plantas foram realizadas quando as plantas estavam com seis à sete folhas completamente expandidas, em dois momentos, sendo a segunda realizada sete dias após a primeira inoculação. Para a quantificação da severidade da doença, foram realizadas seis avaliações com intervalo semanal, iniciadas após o aparecimento dos primeiros sintomas, pela utilização de uma escala de notas com amplitude de 1 a 6. Foram utilizados os dados obtidos na segunda, quarta e sexta avaliação e os dados da área abaixo da curva de progresso da doença (AACPD) para a realização das análises estatísticas e estimativas dos parâmetros genéticos. Para o estudo da herança envolvida na resistência de milho à antracnose foliar, estimou-se os parâmetros genéticos de seis famílias derivadas dos cruzamentos entre linhagens resistentes e suscetíveis à C. graminicola. Cada família foi constituída de seis gerações (P1, P2, F1, F2, RC1 e RC2), as quais foram avaliadas para resistência em dois experimentos implantados no delineamento de blocos casualizados, em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, onde nas parcelas foi estudado o efeito de famílias e nas subparcelas o efeito das gerações, com três repetições. Foram utilizados os dados estimados na segunda, quarta e sexta avaliação para a realização das análises estatísticas e genéticas. Os resultados evidenciaram a existência de variabilidade genética para a resistência/suscetibilidade à antracnose foliar no conjunto de linhagens estudadas. As linhagens L 04-2, L 23-1, L 87-3, L 99-4 e L 118-4 destacaram-se pela manutenção do padrão de resistência, apresentando os menores valores de AACPD nos três experimentos, sendo consideradas importantes fontes de resistência a C. graminicola. As estimativas dos parâmetros genéticos indicaram baixa participação dos efeitos ambientais na expressão da resistência/suscetibilidade à antracnose foliar e evidenciaram a possibilidade de ganhos genéticos com a seleção artificial. Os resultados indicaram predomínio dos efeitos genéticos aditivos na herança da resistência de milho à antracnose foliar nas seis famílias analisadas, explicando até 99,39% da variação fenotípica. Os elevados coeficientes de herdabilidade (sentido amplo e restrito) observados indicam facilidade no processo de seleção artificial pelos programas de melhoramento. As estimativas de heterose foram altas e negativas em todas as famílias estudadas, revelando a capacidade das linhagens resistentes (LR 04-2 e LR 23-1) em transmitir os genes de resistência para as gerações filiais, resultando na menor severidade da doença. Os resultados demonstraram que a herança da resistência do milho à antracnose foliar é oligogênica. Predomínio de ação gênica aditiva, associada às altas estimativas de herdabilidade e controle genético oligogênico, permitem inferir que os ganhos genéticos com a seleção artificial lograrão êxito nos programas de melhoramento que buscam desenvolver populações de milho resistentes à antracnose foliar.

Maize is susceptible to biotic and abiotic stresses. The most important abiotic stresses in Africa are drought and low soil fertility. Aflatoxin contamination is a potential problem in areas facing drought and low soil fertility. Three studies were conducted to evaluate maize germplasm for tolerance to stress. In the first study, fifteen maize inbred lines crossed in a diallel were evaluated under drought, low N stress, and well-watered conditions at six locations in three countries to estimate general (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA), investigate genotype x environment interaction, and estimate genetic diversity and its relationship with grain yield and heterosis. GCA effects were not significant for grain yield across environments. Lines with good GCA effect for grain yield were P501 and CML258 across stresses. Lines CML339, CML341, and SPLC7-F had good GCA effects for anthesis silking interval across stresses. Additive genetic effects were more important for grain yield under drought and well-watered conditions. Heterosis estimates were highest in stress environments. Clustering based on genetic distance calculated using marker data from AFLP, RFLP, and SSRs grouped lines according to origin. Genetic distance was positively correlated with grain yield and specific combining ability. In the second study, synthetic hybrids were evaluated at seven locations in three countries to estimate GCA and SCA effects under low N stress and optimal conditions and investigate genotype x environment interaction. GCA effects were significant for all traits across low N stress and optimal conditions. The highest yielding synthetic hybrids involved synthetics developed from stress tolerant lines. Synthetics 99SADVIA-# and SYNA00F2 had good GCA for grain yield across low N stress conditions. Heterosis was highly correlated with grain yield. Optimal environments explained more variation than stress environments. The third study evaluated the agronomic performance and aflatoxin accumulation of single and three-way cross white maize hybrids at five locations in Texas. Inbreds CML343, Tx601W, and Tx110 showed positive GCA effects for grain yield. Significant GCA effects for reduced aflatoxin concentration were observed in lines CML269, CML270, and CML78 across locations. Differences in performance between single and three-way crosses hybrids were dependent mostly on the inbred lines.

Maize is susceptible to biotic and abiotic stresses. The most important abiotic stresses in Africa are drought and low soil fertility. Aflatoxin contamination is a potential problem in areas facing drought and low soil fertility. Three studies were conducted to evaluate maize germplasm for tolerance to stress. In the first study, fifteen maize inbred lines crossed in a diallel were evaluated under drought, low N stress, and well-watered conditions at six locations in three countries to estimate general (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA), investigate genotype x environment interaction, and estimate genetic diversity and its relationship with grain yield and heterosis. GCA effects were not significant for grain yield across environments. Lines with good GCA effect for grain yield were P501 and CML258 across stresses. Lines CML339, CML341, and SPLC7-F had good GCA effects for anthesis silking interval across stresses. Additive genetic effects were more important for grain yield under drought and well-watered conditions. Heterosis estimates were highest in stress environments. Clustering based on genetic distance calculated using marker data from AFLP, RFLP, and SSRs grouped lines according to origin. Genetic distance was positively correlated with grain yield and specific combining ability. In the second study, synthetic hybrids were evaluated at seven locations in three countries to estimate GCA and SCA effects under low N stress and optimal conditions and investigate genotype x environment interaction. GCA effects were significant for all traits across low N stress and optimal conditions. The highest yielding synthetic hybrids involved synthetics developed from stress tolerant lines. Synthetics 99SADVIA-# and SYNA00F2 had good GCA for grain yield across low N stress conditions. Heterosis was highly correlated with grain yield. Optimal environments explained more variation than stress environments. The third study evaluated the agronomic performance and aflatoxin accumulation of single and three-way cross white maize hybrids at five locations in Texas. Inbreds CML343, Tx601W, and Tx110 showed positive GCA effects for grain yield. Significant GCA effects for reduced aflatoxin concentration were observed in lines CML269, CML270, and CML78 across locations. Differences in performance between single and three-way crosses hybrids were dependent mostly on the inbred lines.

Aquaculture plays an important role in economic development and food security in many countries in the world. World aquaculture production in 2006 was 51.7 million tonnes with an estimated value of US$ 78.8 billion (FAO, 2009). World production will need to increase however by 30-40 million tonnes from its current production level by 2030 to meet growing global demand for fish. In this context, aquaculture in Vietnam has developed rapidly over the past decade and the fisheries sector ranked fourth in terms of export value in 2008 (Vietnamnet, 2008). Total fisheries production in Vietnam in 2007 was 4.149 million tonnes, of which fisheries production from catch and aquaculture were 2.064 and 2.085 million tonnes, respectively. A variety of aquatic species are cultured in Vietnam, but shrimps (mainly Black Tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon, and Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei) and ‘tra’ or ‘basa’ catfish are the most common species used in aquaculture. The giant freshwater prawn (GFP), Macrobrachium rosenbergii, is one of the most important crustacean species in inland aquaculture in many countries across the world where this species is either native or exotic. GFP is suitable for culture in a variety of farming systems, including monoculture or polyculture in ponds, pens, and integrated or rotational rice-prawn culture models. The GFP industry worldwide relies totally on wild or unimproved stocks, a practice that threatens the long-term sustainability of GFP farming due to low productivity and vulnerability of farmed stocks to disease. The current status of GFP aquaculture highlights the need for initiation of a systematic stock improvement program for the species to improve economically important traits. Large-scale selective breeding programs have been instigated for some finfish, salmonids and GIFT tilapia for example, and some selective breeding trials have been conducted on crustacean species, namely marine penaeid shrimp and freshwater crayfish. Examples of selective breeding programs on aquatic species have demonstrated that significant genetic gains can be achieved for growth rates with gains of around 10-20% per generation. While a selective breeding program is an option for GFP stock improvement, an alternative approach to improving GFP productivity, potentially with more immediate effect and one that is less expensive, is crossbreeding which may produce heterosis or hybrid vigour in crossbred offspring. Therefore, a crossbreeding strategy was trialed in the current study as a starting point for a stock improvement program for the GFP industry in Vietnam. The current study assessed the growth performance of three GFP strains (two wild Vietnamese strains from the Dong Nai and Mekong rivers, and a single domesticated Hawaiian strain) and their reciprocal crosses in a complete 3x3 diallel cross, i.e. three purebred and six crossbred strains. The diallel cross was carried out over two consecutive generations (G1 and G2). Juveniles for the experiments were produced using single-pair matings. Juveniles from each strain combination were stocked into three replicate hapas for 15 weeks. Growth data (body weight, carapace length, standard length) from the G1 and G2 were pooled for all subsequent analyses as there was no effect of generation on growth traits. Results showed that the Hawaiian strain performed best among purebred strains, and crosses with the Dong Nai or Mekong strains as dams and the Hawaiian strain as sires grew significantly faster than did the purebred Dong Nai or Mekong strains. These results suggest potential for heterosis among some crosses. Growth data were analyzed in depth by partitioning the strain combination (cross) effect into three components: strain additive genetic effects, heterotic effects, and strain reciprocal effects. Strain additive genetic and reciprocal effects were significant sources of variation for all growth traits measured. Strain additive genetic effects were highest for the Hawaiian strain and lowest for the Mekong strain for all growth traits. Reciprocal effects influenced negatively on growth rate of crosses with the Hawaiian (H) strain as dams and the Dong Nai (D) or Mekong (M) as sires compared with their reciprocal crosses (DH and MH). Heterotic effects for all growth traits were small and not significantly different from zero (P > 0.05). These results indicate that a crossbreeding approach based on the strains evaluated here provides only limited potential for improving growth rates based simply on heterotic outcomes and that a likely more productive option would be to trial artificial selection on a diverse synthetic stock. The current study also employed genetic markers (microsatellites) to characterize levels and patterns of genetic diversity in three purebred strains of GFP that originated from the diallel cross above. All three purebred strains showed relative high levels of genetic diversity in terms of allele number and individual heterozygosity across the six marker loci screened. Levels of genetic diversity present in the three purebred strains combined into a single stock were compared with that from a combination of three wild river stocks to assess the impact of domestication on genetic diversity of a ‘synthetic’ population. Results demonstrated that there was no significant loss of genetic diversity in the three purebred strains combined compared with a reference set containing the three wild populations. Therefore, a synthetic population formed from these purebred strains successfully captured the majority of genetic variation present in the wild broodstock. This synthetic population provides a potential stock for a future selective breeding program for GFP in Vietnam. The current study was also the first attempt to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in key growth genes in GFP. Two key candidate genes were targeted, actin and crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH), that are potentially linked to growth performance in GFP. The study screened SNPs in GFP females only, because growth performance of GFP males is influenced strongly by social rank. The study identified four SNPs in intron 3 of the CHH gene that were significantly correlated with individual body weight at harvest, while no SNPs detected in the actin gene were associated with growth traits in GFP. This finding however, needs to be confirmed using larger sample sizes and other GFP lines. The current study has produced important basic knowledge relevant to implementation of an effective stock improvement program for GFP in Vietnam. Results indicate that a selective breeding strategy rather than a crossbreeding approach is likely to be the best strategy for improving GFP culture stocks in Vietnam. In addition, the study demonstrates that application of modern molecular genetic technologies can be efficient in developing a genetically diverse, synthetic population for stock improvement and for identifying potential markers correlated with important commercial traits in GFP. Integration of DNA techniques with traditional breeding practices can facilitate GFP stock improvement in Vietnam and accelerate the industry development when improved lines are available. Some limitations of the current study and recommendations for further work are discussed.

Os objetivos deste trabalho foram estimar os efeitos genéticos fixos atuando sobre uma população sintética e testar diferentes modelos e metodologias neste processo de estimação. Os efeitos genéticos fixos testados foram os efeitos aditivos direto e materno de raça e não aditivos diretos e maternos de heterose, perdas epistáticas e complementariedade. Os modelos testados incluem alternada e conjuntamente todos estes efeitos. As metodologias de regressão de cumeeira e regressão por quadrados mínimos foram comparadas assim como dois métodos distintos para determinação do ridge parameter. Uma população sintética, envolvendo as raças Angus e Nelore foi utilizada. Foram utilizados 294.045 registros de desmame e 148.443 registros de sobreano de uma população sintética envolvendo as raças Angus e Nelore. Foram estudadas as seguintes características: ganho de peso do nascimento ao desmame (WG), escores de conformação (WC), precocidade (WP) e musculatura (WM) coletados ao desmame, ganho de peso do desmame ao sobreano (PG), escores fenotípicos de conformação (PC), precocidade (PP) e musculatura (PM) e perímetro escrotal (SC) coletados ao sobreano. Na maioria das análises, os efeitos genéticos fixos estimados foram estatisticamente significativos. O modelo completo, incluindo todos os efeitos genéticos fixos foi o mais indicado nas duas metodologias testadas. Na estimação por regressão de quadrados mínimos, o modelo mais parcimonioso foi o que incluiu apenas os efeitos aditivos de raça e não aditivos de heterose (dominância) e na estimação por regressão de cumeeira o mais parcimonioso foi o aquele que incluiu, além dos dois já referidos, os efeitos não aditivos de perdas epistáticas. As metodologias mostraram-se equivalentes, para os modelos que incluíram apenas efeito aditivo de raça e não aditivo de heterose. Todavia com a inclusão dos efeitos não aditivos de perdas epistáticas e/ou complementariedade, a regressão de cumeeira mostrou-se mais indicada até o momento em que os dados atingiram um determinado volume e estrutura, com grande parte das classes de composições raciais representadas na amostra e, a partir daí os modelos se mostraram equivalentes. Na comparação entre os métodos de determinação do ridge parameter, o mais indicado foi o método que identifica o menor valor possível que produz fatores de inflação de variância abaixo de 10 para todos os regressores estimados. / The objectives of this study were to estimate the fixed genetic effects acting on a synthetic population, as well as test different models and methodologies in this estimation process. The tested fixed genetic effects were the direct and maternal breed additive and direct and maternal heterosis, epistatic loss and complementarity non-additive effects The tested models include alternate and together all these effects. The ridge regression and least square regression methodologies were compared and were also compared two different methods for determining the ridge parameter to use in the ridge regression. A synthetic beef cattle population, involving Angus and Nellore in several breed combinations was used. 294,045 records at weaning and 148,443 records at yearling were used. The traits of weight gain from birth to weaning (WG), phenotypic scores of conformation (WC), precocity (WP) and muscling (WM) collected at weaning, weight gain from weaning to yearling (PG), phenotypic scores of conformation (PC), precocity (PP) and muscles (PM) collected at yearling and scrotal circumference (SC) were used in the analyzes. In most of analyzes, the estimated fixed genetic effects were statistically significant. The complete model, including all fixed genetic effects was the most suitable in the two tested methodologies. In the estimation by least squares regression, the most parsimonious model was the model that included only breed additive and non-additive heterosis (dominance) effects and in the estimation by ridge regression the most parsimonious model was that included, besides the breed additive and non-additive heterosis (dominance) effects, the non-additive epistatic loss effects. Comparing the two methodologies, for models that include only breed additive and non-additive heterosis effects, methodologies proved to be equivalent; with the inclusion of non-additive epistatic loss and / or complementarity effects, ridge regression was more indicated originally. After reached a certain volume and structure, with much of classes of breeds represented in the sample. Both least squares and ridge regression were equivalent. Comparing the methods for determining the ridge parameter, the best method was that which identifies the smallest possible value that produces the variance inflation factors below 10 for all estimated regressors.

The aim of the thesis was to evaluate the performance parameters of the breeds of common carp and its crossbreds by using the top-crossing. On the maternal position the Hungarian synthetic mirror carp line (HSM) was used. On this line, males of HSM, Telč mirror carp (TeL), Northern mirror carp (M72) and Amur mirror carp (AL) were crossed and a hybrid of Ropsha carp (ROP) and Tata carp (TAT) was used as their control group. Rearing of the tested groups was monitored from larval stage until their market size in ponds with a semi-intensive way of management in three localities (2 organisations). In the first year, each tested group was bred individually with internal control group of a different scaly covering phenotype in order to correct the influence of the environment on the weight achieved. In the second and the third year, all the groups were group-labelled and bred together in triplicate (three ponds) localities. In the individual stages of testing, the weight and the survival rate were recorded. Moreover, in the market size stage the biometric measurement and slaughtering value were evaluated. In the overall assessment of the results from all the localities carried out by the ANCOVA procedure, the highest weight at the K3 age was achieved by the hybrid HSM x AL (1413 {$\pm$} 31.5 g; Last square means {$\pm$} S.E.), whose weight was statistically comparable to the other hybrids (HSM x M72 a HSM x TeL). However, it was the only noticeably higher weight in comparison with the HSM (1257 {$\pm$} 31.5 g) with its ordinary heterosis effect of growth on the level of 12.4%. During the third year of testing, the survival ranged from 69.0 % in HSM x Tel to 73.4% in HSM x AL and the values were statistically comparable. The yield parameters (the proportion of the processed body, the proportion of filets with skin and the skinless ones) were similar in all the groups. In the previous periods of testing the results reflected the situation in the market size. As a result, it is concluded that preferably the hybrid HSM x AL could be exploitable in commercial breeding.

Os objetivos deste trabalho foram estimar os efeitos genéticos fixos atuando sobre uma população sintética e testar diferentes modelos e metodologias neste processo de estimação. Os efeitos genéticos fixos testados foram os efeitos aditivos direto e materno de raça e não aditivos diretos e maternos de heterose, perdas epistáticas e complementariedade. Os modelos testados incluem alternada e conjuntamente todos estes efeitos. As metodologias de regressão de cumeeira e regressão por quadrados mínimos foram comparadas assim como dois métodos distintos para determinação do ridge parameter. Uma população sintética, envolvendo as raças Angus e Nelore foi utilizada. Foram utilizados 294.045 registros de desmame e 148.443 registros de sobreano de uma população sintética envolvendo as raças Angus e Nelore. Foram estudadas as seguintes características: ganho de peso do nascimento ao desmame (WG), escores de conformação (WC), precocidade (WP) e musculatura (WM) coletados ao desmame, ganho de peso do desmame ao sobreano (PG), escores fenotípicos de conformação (PC), precocidade (PP) e musculatura (PM) e perímetro escrotal (SC) coletados ao sobreano. Na maioria das análises, os efeitos genéticos fixos estimados foram estatisticamente significativos. O modelo completo, incluindo todos os efeitos genéticos fixos foi o mais indicado nas duas metodologias testadas. Na estimação por regressão de quadrados mínimos, o modelo mais parcimonioso foi o que incluiu apenas os efeitos aditivos de raça e não aditivos de heterose (dominância) e na estimação por regressão de cumeeira o mais parcimonioso foi o aquele que incluiu, além dos dois já referidos, os efeitos não aditivos de perdas epistáticas. As metodologias mostraram-se equivalentes, para os modelos que incluíram apenas efeito aditivo de raça e não aditivo de heterose. Todavia com a inclusão dos efeitos não aditivos de perdas epistáticas e/ou complementariedade, a regressão de cumeeira mostrou-se mais indicada até o momento em que os dados atingiram um determinado volume e estrutura, com grande parte das classes de composições raciais representadas na amostra e, a partir daí os modelos se mostraram equivalentes. Na comparação entre os métodos de determinação do ridge parameter, o mais indicado foi o método que identifica o menor valor possível que produz fatores de inflação de variância abaixo de 10 para todos os regressores estimados. / The objectives of this study were to estimate the fixed genetic effects acting on a synthetic population, as well as test different models and methodologies in this estimation process. The tested fixed genetic effects were the direct and maternal breed additive and direct and maternal heterosis, epistatic loss and complementarity non-additive effects The tested models include alternate and together all these effects. The ridge regression and least square regression methodologies were compared and were also compared two different methods for determining the ridge parameter to use in the ridge regression. A synthetic beef cattle population, involving Angus and Nellore in several breed combinations was used. 294,045 records at weaning and 148,443 records at yearling were used. The traits of weight gain from birth to weaning (WG), phenotypic scores of conformation (WC), precocity (WP) and muscling (WM) collected at weaning, weight gain from weaning to yearling (PG), phenotypic scores of conformation (PC), precocity (PP) and muscles (PM) collected at yearling and scrotal circumference (SC) were used in the analyzes. In most of analyzes, the estimated fixed genetic effects were statistically significant. The complete model, including all fixed genetic effects was the most suitable in the two tested methodologies. In the estimation by least squares regression, the most parsimonious model was the model that included only breed additive and non-additive heterosis (dominance) effects and in the estimation by ridge regression the most parsimonious model was that included, besides the breed additive and non-additive heterosis (dominance) effects, the non-additive epistatic loss effects. Comparing the two methodologies, for models that include only breed additive and non-additive heterosis effects, methodologies proved to be equivalent; with the inclusion of non-additive epistatic loss and / or complementarity effects, ridge regression was more indicated originally. After reached a certain volume and structure, with much of classes of breeds represented in the sample. Both least squares and ridge regression were equivalent. Comparing the methods for determining the ridge parameter, the best method was that which identifies the smallest possible value that produces the variance inflation factors below 10 for all estimated regressors.

Os objetivos deste trabalho foram estimar os efeitos genéticos fixos atuando sobre uma população sintética e testar diferentes modelos e metodologias neste processo de estimação. Os efeitos genéticos fixos testados foram os efeitos aditivos direto e materno de raça e não aditivos diretos e maternos de heterose, perdas epistáticas e complementariedade. Os modelos testados incluem alternada e conjuntamente todos estes efeitos. As metodologias de regressão de cumeeira e regressão por quadrados mínimos foram comparadas assim como dois métodos distintos para determinação do ridge parameter. Uma população sintética, envolvendo as raças Angus e Nelore foi utilizada. Foram utilizados 294.045 registros de desmame e 148.443 registros de sobreano de uma população sintética envolvendo as raças Angus e Nelore. Foram estudadas as seguintes características: ganho de peso do nascimento ao desmame (WG), escores de conformação (WC), precocidade (WP) e musculatura (WM) coletados ao desmame, ganho de peso do desmame ao sobreano (PG), escores fenotípicos de conformação (PC), precocidade (PP) e musculatura (PM) e perímetro escrotal (SC) coletados ao sobreano. Na maioria das análises, os efeitos genéticos fixos estimados foram estatisticamente significativos. O modelo completo, incluindo todos os efeitos genéticos fixos foi o mais indicado nas duas metodologias testadas. Na estimação por regressão de quadrados mínimos, o modelo mais parcimonioso foi o que incluiu apenas os efeitos aditivos de raça e não aditivos de heterose (dominância) e na estimação por regressão de cumeeira o mais parcimonioso foi o aquele que incluiu, além dos dois já referidos, os efeitos não aditivos de perdas epistáticas. As metodologias mostraram-se equivalentes, para os modelos que incluíram apenas efeito aditivo de raça e não aditivo de heterose. Todavia com a inclusão dos efeitos não aditivos de perdas epistáticas e/ou complementariedade, a regressão de cumeeira mostrou-se mais indicada até o momento em que os dados atingiram um determinado volume e estrutura, com grande parte das classes de composições raciais representadas na amostra e, a partir daí os modelos se mostraram equivalentes. Na comparação entre os métodos de determinação do ridge parameter, o mais indicado foi o método que identifica o menor valor possível que produz fatores de inflação de variância abaixo de 10 para todos os regressores estimados. / The objectives of this study were to estimate the fixed genetic effects acting on a synthetic population, as well as test different models and methodologies in this estimation process. The tested fixed genetic effects were the direct and maternal breed additive and direct and maternal heterosis, epistatic loss and complementarity non-additive effects The tested models include alternate and together all these effects. The ridge regression and least square regression methodologies were compared and were also compared two different methods for determining the ridge parameter to use in the ridge regression. A synthetic beef cattle population, involving Angus and Nellore in several breed combinations was used. 294,045 records at weaning and 148,443 records at yearling were used. The traits of weight gain from birth to weaning (WG), phenotypic scores of conformation (WC), precocity (WP) and muscling (WM) collected at weaning, weight gain from weaning to yearling (PG), phenotypic scores of conformation (PC), precocity (PP) and muscles (PM) collected at yearling and scrotal circumference (SC) were used in the analyzes. In most of analyzes, the estimated fixed genetic effects were statistically significant. The complete model, including all fixed genetic effects was the most suitable in the two tested methodologies. In the estimation by least squares regression, the most parsimonious model was the model that included only breed additive and non-additive heterosis (dominance) effects and in the estimation by ridge regression the most parsimonious model was that included, besides the breed additive and non-additive heterosis (dominance) effects, the non-additive epistatic loss effects. Comparing the two methodologies, for models that include only breed additive and non-additive heterosis effects, methodologies proved to be equivalent; with the inclusion of non-additive epistatic loss and / or complementarity effects, ridge regression was more indicated originally. After reached a certain volume and structure, with much of classes of breeds represented in the sample. Both least squares and ridge regression were equivalent. Comparing the methods for determining the ridge parameter, the best method was that which identifies the smallest possible value that produces the variance inflation factors below 10 for all estimated regressors.