Phenome Networks partners with KeyGene to launch PhenoGene

PhenoGene is a game-changing solution for plant breeders to optimise breeding strategies

Phenome Networks in collaboration with KeyGene introduces PhenoGene, a game-changing solution for plant breeders to optimise breeding strategies.

PhenoGene, based upon an algorithm developed by KeyGene is now available as a novel module in the PhenomeOne software, as a decision support tool to optimise breeding strategies for any crop. The PhenoGene module enables breeders to design the ideal plant, the so-called ideotype, based on genetic trait information from multiple parents, and calculate the fastest and most efficient breeding schedule, to combine favourable traits from multiple parents into a single variety.

The PhenoGene algorithm provides the most efficient recipe for which crosses to perform, how many plants to use in each generation for each cross, and how many generations are required to achieve that requested genotype in the most efficient way mathematically possible.

In discussions with Phenome Networks, KeyGene scientists recognized the value of converting this optimiser into a user-friendly tool integrated into the PhenomeOne software suite, in order to make it available for a large number of breeders across the globe.

Phenome Networks is the company behind the well-known PhenomeOne package that already supports thousands of breeders all over the world in data collection, data management, and breeding intelligence. The breeding optimizer is made available as a module called PhenoGene of the PhenomeOne package on a SaaS (Software as a Service) basis.

Using the tool breeders can develop and compare different breeding strategies to integrate beneficial traits from multiple parents. Moreover, the results of the algorithm show the total costs and time that it takes to develop the variety, which can be reviewed by breeders and matched to the actual resources and time to market.