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Gain from genomic selection for a selection index in two‐row spring barley

New breeding programs are faced with many challenges including evaluation of unknown germplasm, initiation of breeding populations that will satisfy short‐ and long‐term breeding goals, and implementation of efficient phenotyping strategies for multiple traits. Genomic selection (GS) is a potentially valuable tool for recently established breeding programs to quickly accelerate genetic gain. Genomic selection on selection index (SI) values may increase gain over phenotypic selection but empirical studies remain limited. We compared gain in overall SI value for height, heading date, preharvest sprouting (PHS) resistance, and spot blotch resistance and component traits in two cycles of GS with one round of phenotypic selection (PS) in two‐row spring malting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Higher realized gain for SI value, height, and PHS was observed with GS compared with PS but GS did not result in significant gain for heading date and spot blotch. Genetic variances for height and heading date, which had small index weights, were not reduced with GS but variances were substantially reduced for heavily weighted PHS and correlated seed germination traits. Inbreeding was increased by GS compared with PS but restricted mating of high breeding value individuals limited potential inbreeding. Our results indicate GS is a useful method to improve selection on index values with different weights.