Biometrics

Origin of biometrics:

Plant sciences :
Plant Genetics Plant breeding and Plant biotechology Other related sciences Interpretation of experimental results

a) Biometrics b) Statistics

 Biometrics
Biometric is the science that deals with the application of statistical concepts and procedures to the study of biological problems

 Biometrical genetics: A branch of genetics that utilizes various statistical concepts and procedures to the study of genetical problems is called biometrical genetics. Two branches of biometrical genetics are
Quantitative genetics Population genetics

 Quantitative genetics:
A branch of biometrical genetics which deals with the study of polygenic or quantitative characters

Characteristics
1. Quantitative genetics is an extension of Mendelian genetics firmly based on Mendelian principles of heredity 2. It provides ways and means for the study of polygenic variation which is not possible be Mendelian genetics 3. It deals with continuous variation 4. lts estimates are based on means, variances and covariances 5. It helps in better understanding of genetic principles and better planning of crop improvement programmes. 6. Fisher laid the foundation of quantitative genetics in 1918.

Population genetics : It deals with the frequency of genes and genotypes in a Mendelian population. Characteristics
1. It is a branch of biometrical genetics. It involves mathematical procedures 2. It deals with oligogenic variation or discontinuous variation 3. Its estimates are based on frequencies and rations 4. It cannot be used for analysis of polygenic variation 5. Hardy and Weinberg laid the foundation of population genetics in 1908

HISTORY Contribution of statisticians/biometricians

Contribution in general concepts and experimental designs
SIR FRANCIS GALTON (1909) : Introduced the concept of correlation SIR R.A. FISHER (1918): Provided initial frame of biometrics and divided genetic variance into additive, dominance and epistatic components FRANK YATES (1933): Provided design to meet wide range of experimental situations KARL PEARSON (1902) : Correlation coefficient FEDERER, W.T. (1956): Proposed augmented design

 Contribution in genetic diversity

MAHALANOBIS, P.C. (1928) : Developed the concept of D2 statistics RAO, C.R. (1952): Suggested the use of of D2 statistics for the assessment of genetic diversity in plant breeding. ANDERSON, E. (1957): Developed the concept of metroglyph analysis

 Contribution in correlation, path coefficient and discriminant function

JOHNSON, H.W. (1955) : First used the estimates of genetic and environmental variability for plant selection in soybean SEWALL WRIGHT (1921): Divided genetic variance into additive and non-additive components DEWEY, O.R., AND LU, K.H. (1959): First applied plant selection path coefficient SMITH, H.F. (1936) : Developed the concept of discriminant function analysis

 Contribution in mating designs

HAYMAN, B.I. (1953) : Developed graphical approach of diallel cross analysis GRIFFING, B. (1956): Developed numerical approach of diallel cross analysis JINKS, J. L. (1958): Proposed three parameter models of generation mean analysis OSCAR KEMPTHORNE (1957) : Developed the concept of Partial diallel and line x tester analysis RAWLINGS, J. O. AND COKERHAM, C.C. (1962): Developed the concept of triallel and quadriallel cross analysis COMSTOCK R. E. AND ROBINSON, H. F. (1952): Developed the concept of biparental mating KEARSEY, M.J. (1968) : Provided separate model of stability analysis MATHER, K. (1949) : Provided scaling test and divided genetic variance into heritable fixable and heritable non-fixable

 Contribution in stability analysis models

FINLAY, K. W. AND WILKINSON, G.N. (1963) : Provided separate model of stability analysis EBERHART S. A. AND RUSSELL, W.A. (1963): Developed a model of stability analysis PERKINS, J. M. (1968): Provided a different model of stability analysis

Polygenic Variation
Variability:
It refers to the presence of differences among the individuals of plant populations. It is due to differences either in genetic constitution of the individuals of a populations or in the environment in which they are grown.

 Sources of Variability
Spontaneous mutation Natural outcrossing Recombinations

Loss of Variability
Large scale replacement of land races by modern high yielding uniform cultivars

 Features of Polygenic Traits

1. Variation : continuous variation from one extreme to other 2. Number of genes: govern by several genes in quantitative and by one of few genes in qualitative 3. Effect of single gene:
a) Qualitative characters : Effect of single gene is large and easily detectable (Major gene character) b) Qualitative characters : Effect of single gene is small and not easily detectable (Minor gene character)

4. Classification:
a) Qualitative characters : Classification into different clearcut group is easy b) Qualitative characters : Classification into different clearcut group is difficult

5. Gene action :
a) Qualitative characters : Non- additive gene action b) Qualitative characters : Additive gene action

6. Effect of Environment
a) Qualitative characters : Little influenced by environmental factors b) Quantitative characters: prone to genotype X environmental interactions

7. Metric Measurement
a) Qualitative characters : b) Qualitative characters :

5. Transgression : transgression refers to the phenomenon through which we get variation in F2 or later generations outside the range of both the parents
a) Qualitative characters : Trangressive segregation is not possible b) Qualitative characters : Trangressive segregation is possible

6. Field of genetics
a) Qualitative characters : inheritance is studied with help of mendelian and population genetics b) Qualitative characters : inheritance is studied by quantitative genetics or biometrical genetics

7. Statistical analysis
a) Qualitative characters : analyzed by frequencies and segregation ratio b) Qualitative characters : analyzed by mean, variances and covariances.

Differences between Qualitative and quantitative traits

Important Definitions
Variability: Presences of differences among the individuals of a populations due to the differences in their genetic constitution or the environment in which they are grown. Character: Any property of an individual showing heritable variation. It includes morphological, physiological, biochemical and behavioral properties. Phenotypic variation: the total variability which is observable. Genotypic Variation: The inherent or genetic variation which remains unaltered by environmental changes. Environmental variation: The non-heritable variation which is entirely due to environmental effects and varies under different environmental conditions

Correlations in Plant Breeding

Correlation coefficient is a statistical measure which is used to find out the degree and direction of relationship between two or more variables.