A Review on Genetic Improvement in Aquaculture through Selective Breeding
Narsingh Kashyap *
TNJFU-Institute of Fisheries Post Graduate Studies Vaniyanchavadi, Chennai-603103, Tamil Nadu, India.
Prem Kumar Meher
Fish Genetics & Biotechnology, ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India.
Suresh Eswaran
TNJFU-Institute of Fisheries Post Graduate Studies Vaniyanchavadi, Chennai-603103, Tamil Nadu, India.
Ayyathurai Kathirvelpandian
ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, CMFRI Campus, Kochi, India.
Uday Kumar Udit
Fish Genetics & Biotechnology, ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India.
Jaiswar Rahul Ramasre
TNJFU-Institute of Fisheries Post Graduate Studies Vaniyanchavadi, Chennai-603103, Tamil Nadu, India.
Anand Vaishnav
College of Fisheries, Central Agricultural University, Lembucherra, Tripura-799210, India.
Sanjay Chandravanshi
TNJFU-Fisheries College and Research Institute, Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, India.
Domendra Dhruve
College of Fisherie CCSHAU, HISAR, Haryana, India.
Jham Lal
ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore, Kolkata, 700120, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic organisms such as fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and aquatic plants. Selective breeding is a key tool used in aquaculture to improve the genetic makeup of farmed species and enhance their productivity and desirable traits. This review explores the application of quantitative genetic principles in fish breeding, which has advanced more slowly compared to livestock breeding. Traditional fish breeding designs are often complicated by confounding effects, making it necessary to modify standard practices to distinguish additive, maternal, and non-additive genetic influences for effective genetic improvement. Selective breeding is essential in aquaculture, offering rapid selection responses and significant genetic gains. Despite the economic importance of traits in aquaculture species, there is limited knowledge of their phenotypic and genetic parameters due to underdeveloped breeding programs. This review highlights various selective breeding programs for key species such as salmon, trout, tilapia, and carp. Carp breeding, crucial in Indian aquaculture, has demonstrated substantial growth rate enhancements through selective breeding. The review underscores the potential of selective breeding to enhance economically significant traits in aquaculture, emphasizing the need for ongoing research and development in genetic improvement strategies.
Keywords: Aquaculture, selective breeding, genetic improvement, fishes