Dr.

Humera Razzaq
Lecturer
Plant Breeding and Genetics

PBG-609
Quantitative Genetics and Biometry

Humerarazzaq@gmail.com
Learning Objectives
üStatistic and Statistics
üBiometry and Quantitative Genetics
üVariation and its types
üHidden variation
üFree variation
üLayout and its proper selection
Reading material
Chapter 1 Analyzing and Understanding Genetic Problems: Classical
and Conventional Approach
Brief history of statistics and biometry
• Statistic

• Statistics--------- Study of numerical data generated through natural

phenomenon
• Modern statistics-------two sources
• 1. Political science
• 2. Mathematical theory of probability
Brief history of statistics and biometry
• Abraham de Moivre, combined the statistics with probability theory
• Adolphe Quetlet, a Belgian astronomer and mathematician
• Combined theory and practical methods of statistics
• Francis Galton a cousin of Charles Darwin-----father of biometry and
eugenics
• Analysis of variation through application of methods
• Karl Pearson--------demonstration of biology in general and natural
selection
• Fonder of descriptive and correlational statistics
Brief history of statistics and biometry
• W.F.R. Weldon coined the term biometry
• Ronald A. fisher-------dominant figure in statistics and biometry in 20th
century
Variation: Basis of Plant Breeding
• Charles Darwin’s theory:
1. Existence of variation within population
2. Its heritability
3. Its change through generation due to natural selection

Morphs: Alternative forms of phenotypes

Polymorphs: More than two common alternative forms of normal
phenotypes of a character-----------Polymorphism
Variation and Genetic Diversity

• Differences among individuals of a population in their genetic

makeup

• The variation due to genes/genotypes present in species

 Qualitative and Quantitative traits
Qualitative traits
Not measurable Quantitative traits
Observable traits Measurable
Contains absolute figures e.g. 0, 1 Data collection
Discontinuous variation Continuous variation
Classes can be made Also contains decimal values e.g. 7.5, 3.56
Monogenic/oligogenic No classes can be made
Polymorphs Polygenic
Genetic variability can be tested through chi No polymorphism
square Genetic variability can be tested through
Examples: Analysis of variance
Leaf shape, seed colour, cotyledon Examples:
appearance Yield per plant, Seed weight and pH etc.
Polygenic variation
• Phenotypic variation: Total observable variation
• Genotypic variation: Unchanged heritable variation
• Environmental variation: Non-heritable variation

• Genotypic variation is the main cause of plant breeders

Variation and its types
• Free variation
• The phenotypic variation shown by extreme phenotypic homozygotes
(AABB or aabb)
• Hidden variation
• The variation hidden in the homozygotes (Aabb or aaBB) that do not
have the extreme phenotypes or heterozygotes (AaBb)
vHybridizing
vAllowing segregation in next generation
Biometry and Quantitative Genetics

• Biometry--------use of statistical methods to solve the biological

problems

• Quantitative Genetics------------ use of statistical methods to solve the

inheritance of quantitative traits
 Usefulness of biometrical techniques to the
plant breeders
• Pre-breeding
• 1. Assessment of genetic variability (Range, Variance, Standard
Deviation, Coefficient of variation, standard error and Chi square)
• 2. Selection of genotypes from mixed population (Correlation, Path
analysis and Discriminate function analysis)
• Breeding
• 1. Choice of parents and selecting breeding procedures (Line ☓ Tester,
Diallel, Generation mean analysis and biparental crosses)
• Post-breeding
• 1. Adaptation to multi-environments (Stability analysis)
Layout and its proper selection

• The way in which the parts of something are arranged or laid out
• Activity