Genotype-by-Environment Interaction in Red Tilapia (Oreochromis spp.): Implications for Genetic Parameters and Trait Performance

Tran Huu Phuc; Pham Dang Khoa; Nguyen Thi Dang; Thi Mai Huong Tran; Huynh Thi Bich Lien; Vo Thi Hong Tham; Nguyen Huynh Duy; Nguyen Hong Nguyen

doi:10.3390/genes16080966

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Genotype-by-Environment Interaction in Red Tilapia (Oreochromis spp.): Implications for Genetic Parameters and Trait Performance

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Genotype-by-Environment Interaction in Red Tilapia (Oreochromis spp.): Implications for Genetic Parameters and Trait Performance

Tran Huu Phuc, Pham Dang Khoa, Nguyen Thi Dang, Thi Mai Huong Tran, Huynh Thi Bich Lien, Vo Thi Hong Tham, Nguyen Huynh Duy and Nguyen Hong Nguyen

Genes, Vol.16(8), pp.1-13

2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16080966

PMCID: PMC12385727

PMID: 40870014

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Abstract

genetic parameters

quality and survival traits

genotype-by-environment interaction

The intensive farming of aquaculture species such as red tilapia (Oreochromis spp.) across diverse production systems can lead to changes in genetic parameters and responses of economically important traits in this species. This study represents the first attempt to understand these changes in growth traits (body weight, total length), quality attributes (body colour), and survival rate in red tilapia. Data for these traits were collected from 75,950 individual fish, progeny of 970 full-sib families (comprising 970 dams and 486 sires); they were selected for high body weight and evaluated in two distinct culture environments: fresh- and saltwater ponds. A multi-trait mixed model was employed to estimate genetic parameters and selection responses. Genetic variance estimates for the quality and survival traits varied across the two environments. However, genetic correlations among the traits studied were similar between fresh and saline water. Furthermore, significant G × E interactions, particularly for the quality and survival traits, were evidenced by divergent genetic correlations (rg = 0.57–0.83) between homologous traits across different environments. The findings emphasise the importance of incorporating G × E interactions into the selection program for red tilapia, particularly when the breeding objectives extend to include quality and survival traits. Selection strategies should consider the prevailing culture system—for instance, favouring genotypes suited to the freshwater pond environment over those adapted to the saltwater environment. Continual assessment of full-sib groups across these environments is recommended to refine our understanding of G × E interactions and optimise future breeding programs for red tilapia. This may involve selecting genotypes capable of consistent performance across environments or developing environment-specific breeding programs.

Details

Title: Genotype-by-Environment Interaction in Red Tilapia (Oreochromis spp.): Implications for Genetic Parameters and Trait Performance
Authors: Tran Huu Phuc (Author) - Research Institute for Aquaculture No. 2 (Vietnam)
Pham Dang Khoa (Author) - Research Institute for Aquaculture No. 2 (Vietnam)
Nguyen Thi Dang (Author) - Research Institute for Aquaculture No. 2 (Vietnam)
Thi Mai Huong Tran (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Huynh Thi Bich Lien (Author) - Research Institute for Aquaculture No. 2 (Vietnam)
Vo Thi Hong Tham (Author) - Research Institute for Aquaculture No. 2 (Vietnam)
Nguyen Huynh Duy (Author) - Research Institute for Aquaculture No. 2 (Vietnam)
Nguyen Hong Nguyen - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Publication details: Genes, Vol.16(8), pp.1-13
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date published: 2025
DOI: 10.3390/genes16080966
ISSN: 2073-4425
PMID: 40870014; PMC12385727
Copyright note: © 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Data Availability: The original contributions presented in this study are included in the article/Supplementary Material. Further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.
Grant note: This project was funded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam.
Organisation Unit: School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Centre for Bioinnovation
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991162745702621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Genetics & Heredity