Estimates of Egg Quality Parameters Utilizing a Polyallel Crossing System

THE applications of a diallel crossing system for obtaining genetic information was put on a practical basis with the publication of the classical paper of Sprague and Tatum (1942). Although, in poultry studies, many of the assumptions of the theoretical models may not be fulfilled, the diallel crossing system is a powerful breeding scheme for obtaining genetic information. This is indicated by the many recent publications: Kan et al. (1959), Hill (1959), King and Mitchell (1959), Goodman and Jaap (1960), and others. However, the idea of mating sires to more than one dam and vice versa is not a new technique. The increased usage is a result of recent developments in theoretical genetics. Many workers, such as Henderson (1948, 1953), Hayman (1954a, b, 1957, 1958), Kempthorne (1956), Matzinger and Kempthorne (1956), have developed the theoretical models necessary for the interpretation of the diallel mating system. Griffing (1956a, 1958), developed the theoretical…