LightGBM: accelerated genomically designed crop breeding through ensemble learning

LightGBM is an ensemble model of decision trees for classification and regression prediction. We demonstrate its utility in genomic selection-assisted breeding with a large dataset of inbred and hybrid maize lines. LightGBM exhibits superior performance in terms of prediction precision, model stability, and computing efficiency through a series of benchmark tests. We also assess the factors that are essential to ensure the best performance of genomic selection prediction by taking complex scenarios in crop hybrid breeding into account. LightGBM has been implemented as a toolbox, CropGBM, encompassing multiple novel functions and analytical modules to facilitate genomically designed breeding in crops. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13059-021-02492-y.