Open call #2
Genomic selection for strawberry (F. ×ananassa)
Genomic selection is used to select breeding material for further hybridization and/or for entering advanced cultivar trials based on their genomic breeding values rather than on phenotypic values. This approach shows better performance than traditional methods such as phenotype-based selection, pedigree-based selection, and marker assisted selection, particularly for polygenically inherited traits.
The objective of this Open Call
The objective of the BreedingValue Open Call #2 was to employ state-of-the-art methodology on breeders’ material and implement genomic selection to the breeders. This can help the breeders to do selection in early stages of their breeding program, accelerating the generation cycles by identifying superior parents, and increasing likelihood of identifying good candidates for advanced trialing.
Selection process
The Open Call #2 closed on 30.06.2021.
A total of 2 proposals were received and 2 proposals have been selected for funding.
We would like to thank all applicants for their interest and look forward to the collaboration with Fresh Forward Breeding B.V. and Njøs Fruit and Berry Center!
In the Open Call#2, we have funded 2 projects à 20,000 €.
Further information is available in the Public evaluation report on Open Call #2.
Testimonial from the Open Call Leader: Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO)
“The Open Call #2 has been an important add-on to the BreedingValue project and to advocating what I personally consider to be the future of small fruit cultivar improvement – the genomic based performance prediction. The beneficiaries (Fresh Forward and Njos) have conscientiously provided the raw data necessary for building the prediction models through carefully implemented experiments. BreedingValue has provided the models and illustrated the possibilities for the breeders/beneficiaries, while on the other side BreedingValue has gained experience through the interaction with the industry and by getting access to data used in multiple scientific publications.”
Dr Jahn Davik, Research Scientist
Testimonials from the Open Call Participants
“The Open Call project gave high value to the newly started strawberry breeding program at Njøs Fruit and Berry Centre both in the genetic charcterization of the material, expert phenotyping and competence building. Genotypic data of the germplasm is necessary for the future development of markers and genomic selection, and the project has provided a gateway into this track. We will apply the data and network on further work on other phenotypic data from the research field for GWAS. Additionally, we have been involved in the European Strawberry breeding community and this will be very important for further breeding. The Open Call project has added value to our germplasm and new genetic tools will increase our competitiveness in the future.”
Stein Harald Hjeltnes
“For Fresh Forward the participation within this Open Call was valuable, as the applicability and usability of genomic prediction models was not known before starting on this project. Within Fresh Forward previously progress has been made to establish molecular markers for multiple traits, however selecting with molecular markers on complex genetic traits such as mildew resistance was difficult as individual molecular markers only explained limited phenotypic variation. With the results gathered in this collaboration we can better assess how to set up a genomic prediction programme within the breeding programme. The accurateness of the genomic prediction models in predicting mildew scores is promising, although the discrepancy of model performance between years suggests that more research is needed before implementation. In the short term the use of the new 50K FanaSNP array has allowed us to better uncover allelic variation underlying agronomic traits which will strengthen the potential of discovering novel molecular markers at Fresh Forward. In the long term we can use the knowledge gathered in this project to set up a genomic prediction programme.”
Johan Willemsen, Bioinformatics Lead
