Multi-breed models and enviromics in genotype by environment interaction using reaction norm model for Holstein, Gir and Girolando cattle

• Grant number: 20/13119-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: November 01, 2021
• End date: March 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Genetics and Improvement of Domestic Animals
• Principal Investigator: Lucia Galvão de Albuquerque
• Grantee: Delvan Alves da Silva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Jaboticabal. Jaboticabal , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Adapted and productive genetic resources are required to maximize milk production in Brazil, considering the diversity of productive systems and climatic conditions (tropical and subtropical). The ideal racial composition can range depending on environmental conditions, requiring appropriate methods to investigate the genotype by environment interaction (GxE), such as, the genomic reaction norm models. In addition, the use of Geographic Information System (GIS) for graphical representation on maps of GxE results makes it possible to explore the concept of "enviromics" to assist in the definition of the most adapted genotype for different conditions. Therefore, the aim of this project are to evaluate and propose a multi-breed model for single step genomic evaluation for Holstein, Gir and Girolando cattle; evaluate the presence of GxE via genomic reaction norm model considering the environmental gradients defined as climatic informations (temperature and humidity index) and levels of production (contemporary groups effect solutions of the defined multi-breed model); and characterize the rank of animals in different environments by development of graphical tools based on GIS. Approximately 280,000 records of reproductive traits, 2.24 million of test-day records for milk production and 37,000 genotyped animals of the three different breeds will be used. It is expected to present a multi-breed model for single step genomic evaluation of Girolando dairy cattle. In addition, using the enviromics concept, it is expected identify and recommend animals and/or superior genetic composition to environmental gradients by GxE analyzes. (AU)