Standard errors of heritabilities for forage breeding nurseries

Abstract

Estimators for standard errors of heritability for two typical and complex forage breeding models are illustrated with estimates of variance and covariance components from least-squares and restricted maximum likelihood methods. The first experiment (Model 1) is a factorial design (two grazing management factors) with two layers of split plots (populations and grazing periods) and with plants within populations nested beneath the first split. The second model is for a sites pooling of randomized complete block experiments, with plants nested inside plots and with a split in time. One definition of heritability was applied to the plant habit character for both models in a red clover germplasm. Heritability estimates were statistically the same for the two methods for both models.