Brazilian producers of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), one of the most highly valued cold-water fish, can rely on an exceptional tool to improve and ensure the quality of broodstock, breeders, and fingerlings. We are talking about the AquaPLUS platform, TrutaPLUS, a tool that will assist in evaluating the genetic structure and diversity within and between this species’ commercial breeding populations.
Provided by EMBRAPA Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (located in the Brazilian Federal District), the technology was developed with resources from the Foundation for Support of Research in the Federal District (FAP-DF) and EMBRAPA itself.
Through genetic profiling of the breeding stock, truticulturists can strategically choose breeders and broodstock with the highest potential for yielding progeny, boasting coveted traits like disease resistance, efficient feed conversion, and rapid growth. This cutting-edge tool further safeguards against mating among closely related animals (known as consanguineous mating), thereby reducing the risk of genetic issues in its offspring.
Closing the knowledge gap in trout broodstock composition
According to EMBRAPA’s researcher Alexandre Caetano, “There was limited information about the composition and genetic structure of commercial broodstock of trout in Brazil. On the other hand, studies on wild populations and commercial trout lineages, using contemporary genomic tools based on Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) molecular markers, have been widely performed in other countries but not in Brazil.”
TrutaPLUS allows simple, low-cost, practical, and innovative solutions that promote the species’ qualification, management, and genetic improvement for trout farmers in Brazilian mountainous regions, such as the Mantiqueira Range in São Paulo, Minas Gerais, and Rio de Janeiro, and Serra Catarinense.
Research backs the innovation
This pioneering initiative is made possible only due to an extensive and rigorous study led by EMBRAPA researchers through the Postgraduate Program in Animal Sciences at the University of Brasília (UnB). The study, titled “Population structure and genetic diversity of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) broodstocks from Brazil using SNP markers,” was published in the “Aquaculture Reports” journal. The work reveals that all the analyzed broodstock stocks showed good rates of genetic diversity.
“We used a low-density panel of 95 SNP markers to analyze the population structure and genetic diversity of seven commercial rainbow trout broodstocks located in the states of Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Santa Catarina,” said researcher Patricia Ianella.
Brazilian trout: A gastronomic delight
Besides its impressive genetic advancements, the gastronomic allure of Brazilian trout further cements its cooking standing. Praised for its delicate flavor and versatile uses in the kitchen, this premium cold-water fish hailing from the Brazilian mountainous regions is an exquisite choice for discerning palates. Including state-of-the-art tools like TrutaPLUS ensures each fish meets the highest quality standards, rendering it an appealing delicacy for epicureans worldwide.