# Breeding Programs Optimization with Reinforcement Learning

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2406.03932 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2406.03932/

## Key facts

- No citing papers in the map yet (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Placed in RL for energy, networks and operations, one of 15 directions in Deep reinforcement learning methods.
- Builds on 3 of its 20 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 6 Jun 2024.

## Placed in

- Deep reinforcement learning methods / [RL for energy, networks and operations](https://mlsanity.com/deeprl/rl-for-energy-networks-and-operations/)

## Builds on (most cited first, 3 of 3)

- [Proximal Policy Optimization Algorithms](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1707.06347/) (2017)
- [Curriculum Learning for Reinforcement Learning Domains: A Framework and Survey](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2003.04960/) (2020)
- [A reinforcement learning approach to resource allocation in genomic selection](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2107.10901/) (2021)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Crop breeding is crucial in improving agricultural productivity while potentially decreasing land usage, greenhouse gas emissions, and water consumption. However, breeding programs are challenging due to long turnover times, high-dimensional decision spaces, long-term objectives, and the need to adapt to rapid climate change. This paper introduces the use of Reinforcement Learning (RL) to optimize simulated crop breeding programs. RL agents are trained to make optimal crop selection and cross-breeding decisions based on genetic information. To benchmark RL-based breeding algorithms, we introduce a suite of Gym environments. The study demonstrates the superiority of RL techniques over standard practices in terms of genetic gain when simulated in silico using real-world genomic maize data.