Oiwodu Ehoche

Citation

Thesis Title
Assessing the Potential of Genomic Selection to Improve Yield and Persistence in White Clover

Read article at Massey Research Online:

White clover is an economically important pasture legume. However, its potential has not been fully exploited due to unpredictable herbage yield and poor vegetative persistence. In addition, long breeding cycles and high genome complexity complicate the development of new cultivars. Genomic selection is a strategy that uses genome-wide markers to overcome these challenges by enabling selection decisions to be performed earlier in the life cycle of the plant. Miss Ehoche demonstrated that an integrated phenotypic and genomic selection approach to plant breeding is superior to conventional phenotypic selection in white clover. This approach has the potential to double genetic gain and expedite cultivar development with significant labour-saving benefits. Her results offer valuable insights into the practical requirements that underpin the successful incorporation of genomic selection into applied forage breeding programmes.

Supervisors
Associate Professor Jennifer Tate
Dr Zulfi Jahufer
Dr Andrew Griffiths
Professor Peter Lockhart