ASReml

ASReml is a commercial statistical software package designed to estimate linear mixed models using residual maximum likelihood (REML). It is widely used in quantitative genetics and breeding programs to estimate variance components and predict genetic merits, particularly in settings with complex experimental designs and unbalanced data.

ASReml supports a range of modelling capabilities essential for genetic analyses. Users can include multiple random and fixed effects, incorporate pedigree- or genomic-based relationship matrices, and fit multivariate and repeated measures models. It also handles advanced covariance structures, spatial analyses, and non-additive genetic effects. The software relies on efficient sparse-m matrix techniques and specialized optimization algorithms to scale to large datasets common in animal and plant breeding.

The package offers interfaces for integration with other tools, notably ASReml-R, which enables running ASReml analyses from within the R environment and facilitates data exchange with standard R data objects and workflows. It is designed to operate across common computing platforms and supports scripting and automation for repetitive analyses.

ASReml is widely used in animal and plant breeding programs, forestry, ecology, and broader quantitative genetics research. It is distributed under a commercial license and is supported by developer documentation, user manuals, and vendor technical support, making it a standard tool for estimating variance components and genetic parameters in complex trait analyses.

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