More about quantitative trait locus mapping with diallel designs

We present a general regression-based method for mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL) by combining different populations derived from diallel designs . The model expresses, at any map position, the phenotypic value of each in dividual as a function of the specific-mean of the population to which the individual belongs, the additive and dominance effects of the alleles carri ed by the parents of that population and the probabilities of QTL genotypes conditional on those of neighbouring markers. Standard linear model proced ures (ordinary or iteratively reweighted least-squares) are used for estima tion and test of the parameters.