Developing a breeding program for atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

• Main Author: Dowker, Robyn Mireille
• Other Authors: Robinson, J. A. B.
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: University of Guelph 2014
• Subjects: Breeding program; Atlantic salmon; Canada; Pacific; Salmo salar
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10214/7772

Atlantic salmon aquaculture is becoming increasingly popular in Pacific Canada. As production increases, more efficient methods for breeding practices are needed. It was the goal of this project to develop a breeding program that would incorporate molecular information in addition to phenotypic information for this aquaculture species. Following identification of significantly linked SNPs in the Atlantic salmon genome, a Marker Assisted Selection program was developed to include this information in a selection index. A comprehensive, forward thinking selection index was developed based on an alternative breeding objective to place emphasis on meat quality traits in addition to meat yield ones.