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The work presented in this publication is a step forward in the use of ecophysiological models to identify ideotypes. Each combination of parameter values ​​of these models represents a genotype the phenotype of which is simulated under different environmental and cultural conditions. The use of optimization methods makes it possible to identify the combinations optimizing the simulated traits under given conditions and thus to define ideotypes. The approach described in this publication aims to improve the realism of the combinations of parameters chosen as better solutions.

This approach is based on (i) the use of a peach quality model (3 predicted traits of interest) with 7 genotype-specific parameters, (ii) the definition of a genetic model describing the effects of alleles at different loci controlling the parameters of the ecophysiological model and taking into account the physical links between loci and pleiotropic effects and iii) the optimization of the allele combinations. The advantage of using an optimization step was tested by comparing the phenotypes obtained with the phenotypes resulting from a random drawing of the values ​​of the parameters. Moreover, the solutions obtained by using an optimization step focused to the space of parameter values ​​were compared with those obtained by directing the optimization towards the space of the alleles. This last strategy appeared promising to improve the realism of ideotypes.

The work presented in this publication is a step forward in the use of ecophysiological models to identify ideotypes. Each combination of parameter values ​​of these models represents a genotype the phenotype of which is simulated under different environmental and cultural conditions. The use of optimization methods makes it possible to identify the combinations optimizing the simulated traits under given conditions and thus to define ideotypes. The approach described in this publication aims to improve the realism of the combinations of parameters chosen as better solutions.

This approach is based on (i) the use of a peach quality model (3 predicted traits of interest) with 7 genotype-specific parameters, (ii) the definition of a genetic model describing the effects of alleles at different loci controlling the parameters of the ecophysiological model and taking into account the physical links between loci and pleiotropic effects and iii) the optimization of the allele combinations. The advantage of using an optimization step was tested by comparing the phenotypes obtained with the phenotypes resulting from a random drawing of the values ​​of the parameters. Moreover, the solutions obtained by using an optimization step focused to the space of parameter values ​​were compared with those obtained by directing the optimization towards the space of the alleles. This last strategy appeared promising to improve the realism of ideotypes.