statgenMPP: an R package implementing an IBD-based mixed model approach for QTL mapping in a wide range of multi-parent populations

Motivation: Multi-parent populations (MPPs) are popular for QTL mapping because they combine wide genetic diversity in parents with easy control of population structure, but a limited number of software tools for QTL mapping are specifically developed for general MPP designs. Results: We developed an R package called statgenMPP, adopting a unified identity-by-descent (IBD)-based mixed model approach for QTL analysis in MPPs. The package offers easy-to-use functionalities of IBD calculations, mixed model solutions and visualizations for QTL mapping in a wide range of MPP designs, including diallele, nested-association mapping populations, multi-parent advanced genetic inter-cross populations and other complicated MPPs with known crossing schemes.

Automated summary

In this study, we developed an R package called statgenMPP for QTL analysis in multi-parent populations (MPPs). The package provides easy-to-use functionalities including IBD calculations, mixed model solutions, and visualizations for QTL mapping in various MPP designs.