Linear heritability estimates

Abstract

A method for obtaining linear estimates of heritability and genetic correlation is given. It is based, essentially, on selecting, from a pedigreed population, prospective parents for which estimates of average genotype and phenotype values are obtained; a regression of genotype on phenotype value is then determined from a straight line fitted through points representing the population mean genotype and phenotype on one hand and the mean genotype and phenotype of selected parents on the other. The method permits an evaluation of asymmetry in response for a trait selected in both directions, as well as asymmetry in correlated response to selection of two different traits, with data from a single pedigreed population.