Fig. 8From: Optimizing genomic reference populations to improve crossbred performanceAverage empirical (a and c) and predicted accuracy (b and d) of estimated breeding values of purebred selection candidates for crossbred performance with a lower heritability in the crossbred populations. The reference population consisted of purebreds (PB), two-way crossbreds (CB) derived from different sires as used in the nucleus with zero multiplication steps (2wayCB), four-way crossbreds derived from different sires as used in the nucleus with zero multiplication steps (4wayCB). The purebred-crossbred correlation was equal to 0.75 (a and b) or 0.5 (c and d). Heritability was 0.2 in the purebred population, and 0.05 in the crossbred populations. Averages were calculated across 50 replicatesBack to article page