Quantitative Genetics
Abstract
Quantitative genetics is the study of genetics of traits that exhibit continuous variation
(metrical traits). Most critical adaptation traits are quantitatively inherited. Quantitative
genetics is studied in populations, primarily through the measurement of the key
parameters means, variances, covariances and inbreeding coefficients. From these values
we calculate measures of heritability and genetic correlation and define the concept of
genetic gain. Virtually all plant and animal breeding programs are guided by population
and quantitative genetic principles as manifest in pedigreed populations. Development of
molecular markers along with linkage equilibrium and linkage disequilibrium mapping
techniques have provided means to genetically dissect complex traits (estimate or
characterize an organisms genotype) in a way never before possible, and blending the
distinction between Mendelian and quantitative genetics.