Genetic models to estimate additive and non-additive effects of marker-associated QTL using multiple regression techniques

Summary The development of molecular markers has recently raised expectations for their application in selection programs. However, some questions related to quantitative trait loci (QTL) identification are still unanswered. The objectives of this paper are (1) to develop statistical genetic models for detecting and locating on the genome multi-QTL with additive, dominance and epistatic effects using multiple linear regression analysis in the backcross and F_n generations from the cross of two inbred lines; and (2) to discuss the bias caused by linked and unlinked QTL on the genetic estimates. Non-linear models were developed for different backcross and F_n generations when both epistasis and no epistasis were assumed. Generation analysis of marked progenies is suggested as a way of increasing the number of observations for the estimates without additional cost for molecular scoring. Some groups of progenies can be created in different generations from the same scored individuals. The non-linear models were transformed into approximate multivariate linear models to which combined stepwise and standard regression analysis could be applied. Expressions for the biases of the marker classes from linked QTL were obtained when no epistasis was assumed. When epistasis was assumed, these expressions increased in complexity, and the biases were caused by both linked and unlinked QTL.