Wheat field with DNA strands interwoven, symbolizing genetic selection and breeding

Wheat Breeding Breakthrough: Smarter Ways to Pick Parent Plants

Reese Marlowe in Science & Nature August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Diallel analysis emerges as a top method for improving wheat yields by carefully selecting parent plants and segregating populations."

For those involved in agriculture, particularly in crop breeding, selecting the right parent plants is a crucial first step. It determines the success of subsequent breeding stages and the overall effectiveness of the program. Yet, pinpointing the scientific bases for germplasm selection remains a challenge.

Often, breeders create and assess numerous segregating populations annually, hoping to identify superior genetic combinations. However, not all populations possess the genetic potential needed to produce top-performing offspring. This can lead to wasted resources on populations that yield unsatisfactory results, slowing down genetic advancement.

To tackle these inefficiencies, researchers are exploring methodologies for selecting parent plants and predicting the performance of segregating populations. This article delves into a study comparing diallel analysis, genetic diversity assessments, parental average calculations, and the Jinks-Pooni method. Our goal is to help breeders identify superior parent plants and segregating populations for wheat grain yield more effectively.

Decoding the Best Methods for Parent Selection in Wheat Breeding

Wheat field with DNA strands interwoven, symbolizing genetic selection and breeding

The study evaluated several methods to determine the most effective approach for selecting parent plants and superior segregating populations, focusing on grain yield in wheat. Two experiments were conducted, using lattice designs and randomized blocks. Researchers assessed 12 parent plants and 36 segregating populations in the F3 generation, resulting from crosses in a partial diallel scheme.

The results showed that the different methodologies produced distinct outcomes. Here’s a breakdown:

Parental Average and Genetic Diversity: Using parental average and genetic diversity alone were not reliable prediction methods.
Jinks and Pooni Method: This method faced practical limitations and wasn't well-suited for wheat cultivation systems.
Diallel Analysis: This proved to be the most promising method for identifying superior parent plants and segregating populations.

Diallel analysis involves evaluating all possible crosses between a set of parent plants to assess their general and specific combining abilities. General combining ability (GCA) refers to the average performance of a parent in various crosses, indicating the prevalence of additive gene effects. Specific combining ability (SCA) reflects unique interactions between specific parent combinations, highlighting non-additive gene effects. By understanding GCA and SCA, breeders can make informed decisions about which crosses are most likely to produce superior offspring.

The Future of Wheat Breeding: What This Means for You

This research highlights the importance of using precise and reliable methods for selecting parent plants in wheat breeding. Diallel analysis stands out as a valuable tool, helping breeders make informed decisions and improve grain yield effectively.

For farmers and agricultural professionals, these advances mean access to better wheat varieties with higher yields and improved traits. By using these methods, breeding programs can develop wheat that is more productive, adaptable, and resilient.

Looking ahead, continued research and application of these techniques promise further advancements in wheat breeding. This will lead to more sustainable and efficient agricultural practices, ensuring food security and meeting the growing global demand for wheat.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1590/s0006-87052013005000026, Alternate LINK

Title: Comparação De Métodos De Seleção De Genitores E Populações Segregantes Aplicados Ao Melhoramento De Trigo

Subject: General Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Journal: Bragantia

Publisher: FapUNIFESP (SciELO)

Authors: Adérico Júnior Badaró Pimentel, Guilherme Ribeiro, Moacil Alves De Souza, Lisandra Magna Moura, Josiane Cristina De Assis, Juarez Campolina Machado

Published: 2013-07-29

Everything You Need To Know

Why is diallel analysis considered the most promising method for selecting parent plants in wheat breeding?

Diallel analysis stands out because it evaluates all possible crosses between parent plants. This helps in assessing their general combining ability (GCA), which indicates additive gene effects, and specific combining ability (SCA), which highlights non-additive gene effects. By understanding both GCA and SCA, breeders can make informed decisions about which crosses are most likely to produce superior offspring. Parental average and genetic diversity assessments were found to be less reliable, and the Jinks-Pooni method faced practical limitations in wheat cultivation.

What does general combining ability (GCA) tell us about a parent plant in wheat breeding, and why is it important?

General combining ability (GCA) refers to the average performance of a parent plant in various crosses. It indicates the prevalence of additive gene effects, meaning that the positive traits of the parent plant are consistently passed on to its offspring across different combinations. A high GCA suggests that a parent is generally a good choice for breeding because it contributes positively to the overall performance of its progeny, regardless of the specific partner it's crossed with.

What does specific combining ability (SCA) reveal about parent plant combinations, and how can breeders use this information?

Specific combining ability (SCA) reflects the unique interactions between specific parent plant combinations. It highlights non-additive gene effects, meaning that the performance of the offspring is better or worse than expected based on the average performance of the parents alone. High SCA indicates that a particular cross produces exceptional results due to the specific combination of genes, making it valuable for breeders aiming to identify superior performing individual crosses. It could be due to epistasis or dominance. SCA is particularly important when aiming to create a specific hybrid with unique characteristics.

What are the limitations of using the Jinks-Pooni method in wheat breeding programs?

The Jinks-Pooni method was explored but found to have practical limitations and wasn't well-suited for wheat cultivation systems. While the specifics of these limitations aren't detailed, it suggests the method might be cumbersome, time-consuming, or not applicable to the practical aspects of growing wheat. This highlights the importance of testing theoretical methods in real-world conditions to ensure they are feasible and effective for wheat breeding programs.

Besides diallel analysis, what other advanced techniques could further improve wheat breeding strategies?

While diallel analysis is effective, other advanced techniques like genomic selection, marker-assisted selection, and gene editing (CRISPR) offer further improvements. Genomic selection uses DNA markers to predict the value of individuals. Marker-assisted selection uses DNA markers linked to desired traits. Gene editing offers precise modifications of specific genes. Integrating diallel analysis with these technologies could lead to even faster and more precise wheat breeding outcomes, enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of wheat production.