This post explains how to calculate a VanRaden Kinship (K) matrix. The VanRaden K matrix is widely used within the Linear Mixed Model (LMM) framework. Please note that the VanRaden matrix is not your only option; other kinship matrices are frequently integrated into LMMs. For example, Genetic Similarity matrices, Genomic K matrices, and Pedigree-based K matrices are all available in QTLmax 6.0. Additionally, you can opt for other types of coancestry matrices to use as the kinship component within the LMM. Let us go over the current topic, how to compute a VanRaden K matrix.
Figure 1 showcases that QTLmax 6.0 has completed computing a VanRaden K matrix.
(Figure 1)
The resulting K-matrix is shown in Figure 2. Further information on the statistical theory underlying this method can be found in VanRaden’s original study: https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(08)70990-1/fulltext.
(Figure 2)