New journal article: optimizing your genetic archive

Breeding programs often keep an ex-situ “backup” of their breeding material. In tree breeding, that archive is also used for creating new genetic combinations (matings) instead of working with the original genotypes that are in trials in the boonies, the boondocks, the woops, the middle of nowhere.

In the same way that you should not keep a single backup, the breeding program keeps multiple copies of the genetic archives. After a while, this occupies more and more room and it turns out to be more and more expensive.

This article explores optimization of the archive (using genomic data) so we maintain as much as variability with as few individuals as possible. The article is Open Access and is still subject to minor edits.

Duncan McLean, Mark F. Paget, Luis A. Apiolaza, Ken G. Dodds & Sai Krishna Arojju. 2026. Genomic diversity, trait–ancestry associations and core subset optimization of Pinus radiata germplasm in New Zealand. Scientific Reports DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-69338-0

This work was funded by the NZ Radiata Pine Breeding Company. Thanks to SAi Arojju for the final push to get this article over the line.