Conservation & local programs

Integrating BLUP and Selection Index Methods to Enhance Genetic Improvement in Tropical Poultry Breeding Programs

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Abstract

The objective of this study was to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of genetic selection in poultry breeding by implementing the Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) and selection index approaches into composite breed development programs. The study was conducted under the Tropical Poultry Genetics Solutions (TPGS) program at ILRI, Ethiopia, using four closed chicken populations LIL20, WIL20, BIL20, and NHIL20. Performance and pedigree data were collected from a total of 2,149 chickens across two generations. Breeding goal traits included body weight at 16 weeks (WT16), age at first egg (AFE), number of eggs at 45 weeks (EN), and egg weight (EW). Genetic parameters and estimated breeding values (EBVs) were computed using linear mixed models in WOMBAT software with the average information restricted maximum likelihood (AI-REML) algorithm. A selection index was constructed by weighting EBVs with economic values of each trait to guide selection decisions. Heritability estimates for growth traits ranged from 0.30 to 0.77, while egg production traits showed low to high heritability (0.00-0.71) with large standard errors due to limited data. Across the two generations, mean body weight at 16 weeks of age increased by 8.7-33% in both sexes, confirming significant genetic gain. The correlation between phenotypic performance and EBVs ranged from 0.65 to 0.90, indicating a strong relationship between observed and predicted genetic potential. The rate of inbreeding in generation two ranges from 2.31 to 3.10% across chicken lines, exceeding the recommended threshold of 0.5-1%, primarily due to a few high-merit individuals contributing disproportionately to offspring. Selection Index accuracy ranged from 0.45 to 0.90 for the four chicken lines, with the highest value indicating strong selection efficiency, while the lower accuracy suggests reduced effectiveness. Results demonstrate that integrating BLUP with a selection index significantly improves precision in genetic evaluation, optimizes multi-trait selection, and accelerates genetic progress in breeding populations. However, maintaining genetic diversity through balanced mating strategies is crucial for managing inbreeding. The study demonstrates that incorporating these genetic evaluation tools into national poultry breeding programs can sustainably enhance productivity, adaptability, and economic returns, thereby contributing to the resilience of smallholder poultry systems and food security in developing regions.

Keywords: 2026

How to Cite:

Esatu, W., Assen, A., Hanotte, O., Dessie, T. & Frank-Lawale, A., (2026) “Integrating BLUP and Selection Index Methods to Enhance Genetic Improvement in Tropical Poultry Breeding Programs”, World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production Digital Archive 2026(1): 2285495. doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/wcgalp.23725

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