ARS | Publication request: PUTTING GENETICS INTO GENETIC COEFFICIENTS

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: July 21, 2003
Publication Date: November 1, 2003
Citation: Baenziger, P.S., Weiss, A., Hays, C., Wilhelm, W.W., Mcmaster, G.S. 2003. Putting genetics into genetic coefficients. Agronomy Abstracts CO2-Baenziger-774906.

Technical Abstract: Genetic coefficients are critical inputs in many widely-used crop simulation models. The genetic coefficients make a general set of algorithms applicable to a specific cultivar. However, some of the coefficients may have a weak genetic basis. The objective of this presentation is to provide examples of the coefficients, their background, our evolving genetic understanding, and in turn, enhancing the usefulness of crop models and their implications for the development of future cultivars. With our increased understanding of crop genomes, we believe models can be improved by directly relating specific genes or QTLs; taking into account epistasis, to develop more realistic genetic coefficients and better portraying our knowledge of the linkage between gene function and plant phenotype in simulations. Examples of this concept will be given for winter wheat for photoperiod, vernalization, and plant height under current and future climate scenarios.