Growth and wood properties of genetically improved loblolly pine: propagation type comparison and genetic parameters

The use of clonal varieties in forestry offers great potential to improve growth traits (quantity) and wood properties (quality) of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.). Loblolly pine trees established via somatic embryogenesis (clones), full-sib zygotic crosses, and half-sib zygotic open-pollinated families were sampled to identify variation in growth and wood properties among and within clonal lines and zygotic controls. Increment cores 5 mm in diameter were collected at age 4 from a total of 2615 trees. Growth properties (diameter at 1.4 m and total tree height) and wood properties (whole-core density, latewood and earlywood density, and latewood percent) were measured for each tree sampled in the study. Overall, growth properties were better for full-sib seedling than for clonal lines, whereas wood density was higher for clonal lines than full-sib and open-pollinated seedlings. However, there were clonal lines with better growth and higher wood density. Clonal repeatability of both growth and wood properties across sampled sites and genetic correlations between growth and wood traits were determined, with higher repeatability observed for wood traits compared with growth traits. Significant genetic correlations were observed for tree height and wood properties, whereas weak correlations were observed for diameter and wood properties.

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Genetic parameters and gains for growth and wood properties in Florida source loblolly pine in the southeastern United States

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x02-025 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 32 (6) ◽

pp. 1025-1038 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Ryan A Atwood ◽

Timothy L White ◽

Dudley A Huber

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Specific Gravity ◽

Loblolly Pine ◽

Growth Traits ◽

Southeastern United States ◽

Genetic Correlations ◽

Wood Properties ◽

Environment Interaction ◽

Breeding Programs ◽

Genotype Environment Interaction

One hundred and thirteen open-pollinated families from Florida source loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) were tested in four states in the southeastern United States. Heritabilities and genetic correlations were estimated for volume, specific gravity, and latewood percentage at three different growth stages: juvenile (ages 010 years), mature (1117 years), and total (017 years). Heritabilities of growth traits (0.090.11) were consistently lower than for wood property traits (0.160.33). Growth traits for Florida loblolly exhibited high genotype × environment interaction (rB = 0.44), whereas wood properties did not (rB = 0.90). The higher heritabilities and genetic stability across environments make wood properties amenable to genetic manipulation through breeding programs. In contrast, the high genotype × environment interaction of growth traits for Florida loblolly pine requires more research to understand the possible implication of these effects on breeding programs. Traittrait and ageage genetic correlations were determined for growth and wood properties. Strong positive ageage correlations were present for latewood percentage, volume, and specific gravity. Weak negative traittrait genetic correlations existed between specific gravity and volume across ages (0.13 to 0.43). No genetic correlation existed between latewood percentage and volume, while a moderate favorable genetic correlation existed between latewood percentage and specific gravity (0.47 to 0.59). Genetic gains in volume and specific gravity were compared for various types of selection. In one type, forward selection of the top 20 individuals (of 3484) based on 17-year volume, resulted in a 20.5% genetic gain in volume; however, a concomitant loss of 6.4% also occurred in specific gravity. If a selection index was used to hold specific gravity constant, a gain in total volume of 14% was obtained.

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Inheritance and Correlation Analysis of Pulpwood Properties, Wood Density, and Growth Traits of Slash Pine

Forests ◽

10.3390/f11050493 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 493 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Yanjie Li ◽

Xianyin Ding ◽

Jingmin Jiang ◽

Qifu Luan

Keyword(s):

Wood Density ◽

Growth Traits ◽

Lignin Content ◽

Pinus Elliottii ◽

Wood Properties ◽

Slash Pine ◽

Wood Traits ◽

Breeding Selection ◽

The Relationship

Slash pine (Pinus elliottii) is the most important and a fast-growing material that is used for industrial timber and pulp production. A breeding program of slash pine that aims to improve wood properties has been employed for the past decade. This study analysed the genetics and correlation of growth traits and wood properties of a total of 1059 individual plants from 49 families of P. elliottii. Heritability, family ranking, genetic gain, and the relationship between these traits were estimated. The results showed that there was a significant negative genetic correlation between the holocellulose and lignin content. The heritabilities of these four traits were ranked from 0.18 to 0.32. The chemical wood traits did not show a strong correlation with diameter at breast height (DBH) and wood density. However, it is still possible to combine wood traits for selection. It was suggested that the genetic breeding selection could improve the growth and quality of P. elliottii.

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Identification of genetic markers and wood properties that predict wood biorefinery potential in aspen bioenergy feedstock (Populus tremula).

10.1101/2021.07.06.450716 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sacha Escamez ◽

Mikko Luomaranta ◽

Niklas Mahler ◽

Madhavi Latha Gandla ◽

Kathryn M Robinson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chemical Composition ◽

Genetic Markers ◽

Genome Wide Association Study ◽

Growth Traits ◽

Wood Properties ◽

Yield Traits ◽

Bioenergy Feedstock ◽

European Aspen ◽

Wood Traits ◽

Wood Chemical Composition

Wood represents the majority of the biomass on lands, and it constitutes a renewable source of biofuels and other bioproducts. However, wood is recalcitrant to bioconversion, meaning that feedstocks must be improved. We investigated the properties of wood that affect bioconversion, as well as the underlying genetics, to help identify superior biorefinery tree feedstocks. We recorded as many as 65 wood-related and growth traits in a population of European aspen natural genotypes. These traits included three growth and field performance traits, 20 traits for wood chemical composition, 17 traits for wood anatomy and structure, and 25 wood saccharification traits as indicators of bioconversion potential. We used statistical modelling to determine which wood traits best predict bioconversion yield traits. This way, we identified a core set of wood properties that predict bioprocessing traits. Several of these predictor traits showed high broad-sense heritability, suggesting potential for genetic improvement of feedstocks. Finally, we performed genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify genetic markers for yield traits or for wood traits that predict yield. GWAS revealed only a few genetic markers for saccharification yield traits, but many more SNPs were associated with wood chemical composition traits, including predictors traits for saccharification. Among them, 16 genetic markers associated specifically with lignin chemical composition were situated in and around two genes which had not previously been associated with lignin. Our approach allowed linking aspen wood bioprocessing yield to wood properties and the underlying genetics, including the discovery of two new potential regulator genes for wood chemical composition.

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Implications of selection history on genetic architecture of growth, form, and wood-quality traits in Pinus radiata

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x08-086 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 38 (9) ◽

pp. 2372-2381 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

S. Kumar ◽

R. D. Burdon ◽

G. T. Stovold ◽

L. D. Gea

Keyword(s):

Wood Density ◽

Pinus Radiata ◽

Wood Quality ◽

Genetic Correlations ◽

Wood Properties ◽

Radiata Pine ◽

Single Pair ◽

Narrow Sense Heritability ◽

Tree Form ◽

Selection History

Clonal trials of Pinus radiata D. Don (radiata pine), representing two populations (or breeds), one selected for growth and form (GF) and the other selected for high wood density as well as growth and form (HD), were replicated on two low-altitude New Zealand sites: Tarawera (pumice soil, 38°08′S) and Woodhill (coastal dune, 36°42′S). The GF material comprised 33 pair-crosses (19 parents) × 10 clones, and the HD material comprised 19 single-pair crosses (35 parents) × 10 clones, with six ramets per clone per site. Diameter (DBH), two tree-form variables, and needle retention (NRA) were assessed 8 years after planting, and wood density (DEN), acoustic velocity, and collapse were assessed 9 years after planting. The site differences were generally expressed more strongly in the GF population. Estimated genetic parameters were mostly similar for the two breeds, except that genotypic correlation between DBH and DEN was apparently zero in the HD population. Estimated broad-sense heritabilities (H2) were generally markedly higher than narrow-sense heritability estimates (h2), except with DEN. Estimated between-site type-B clonal genotypic correlations were generally high (>0.8) for wood properties. Overall, DBH showed adverse genetic correlations with wood properties. The Elite/Breed strategy appeared to be helpful in combating adverse genetic correlations.

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Variation and Correlations Among Stem Growth and Wood Traits of Calycophyllum spruceanum Benth. from the Peruvian Amazon

Silvae Genetica ◽

10.1515/sg-2005-0005 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 54 (1-6) ◽

pp. 31-41 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

J. C. Weber ◽

C. Sotelo Montes

Keyword(s):

Wood Density ◽

Heat Content ◽

Wood Properties ◽

International Markets ◽

Stem Growth ◽

Peruvian Amazon ◽

Stem Wood ◽

Farming Communities ◽

Wood Traits ◽

The Difference

Abstract Calycophyllum spruceanum Benth. is an important tree for timber and energy in the western Amazon, with expanding national and international markets for its wood. There is relatively little information, however, about geographic variation in tree growth and wood properties, and correlations among these traits. The first provenance trial was established with farming communities in the Peruvian Amazon. Seven provenances, sampled from regions near the equator, were tested in three planting zones located in one watershed. Variation and correlations were investigated in stem growth at 30 and 42 months, wood density (in the lower and upper parts of the stem) and mean heat content of stem wood at 32 months. Stem height varied significantly among provenances and planting zones, but zones accounted for much more variation than provenances. Stem wood traits did not vary significantly among provenances. Wood density was greater in the lower than in the upper stem. Wood density in the upper stem and the difference in density between the lower and upper stem varied significantly among planting zones: density in the upper stem was lowest, and the difference in density between the lower and upper stem was largest in the zone where trees grew most rapidly. Phenotypic correlations between stem growth and wood density differed in sign among planting zones, suggesting that selecting fastgrowing trees could indirectly reduce wood density in environments where trees grow slowly, and increase the difference in wood density between the lower and upper stem in environments where trees grow very rapidly. Correlations between stem growth and wood heat content were stable across zones, and indicated that larger trees tended to have wood with higher heat content. Stem-wood heat content varied with provenance latitude/ longitude in the sample region, but none of the other traits varied clinally. Results indicate that there is potential to select faster-growing provenances at an early age, but this could affect wood density in certain environments.

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Variation Among Poplar (Populus Deltoides Bartr.) Clones for Growth, Wood Traits and Tolerance to Leaf Spot Diseases

Current Agriculture Research Journal ◽

10.12944/carj.8.2.08 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 128-136

Author(s):

GPS Dhillon ◽

Jajjbir Singh Sandhu ◽

Parminder Singh

Keyword(s):

Specific Gravity ◽

Leaf Spot ◽

Fiber Length ◽

Populus Deltoides ◽

Growth Traits ◽

Tree Height ◽

Clonal Variation ◽

Leaf Spot Disease ◽

Wood Traits ◽

Collar Diameter

Poplar is economically important and fast growing tree species which is widely adopted by farmers of northwest India. The nursery study was conducted for two years to find out clonal variation for plant height, collar diameter, biomass, wood traits and incidence of leaf spot disease. Results found significant differences among the clones for all growth traits, specific gravity and fiber length. Clones L-290/84, 22-N and L-50/88 were promising for tree height and collar diameter during 1st year study. In 2nd year the tree height was highest in L-7/87 but was at par with L-34/82. L-7/87, L-247/84 and L-48/89 were promising for diameter. Clones L-48/89, L-7/87, 22-N, L-247/84, S7C8, and WSL-22 recorded superiority for both above ground and root biomass. The maximum fiber length was recorded in clone WSL-29 (0.936 mm) which was at par with those of WSL-22, L-17/92 and L-50/88. The wood specific gravity ranged from 0.383 to 0.498. Clone L-290/84 was at top rank but statistically par with 40-N, G-48, L-50/88 and T-90. The relative resistance for leaf spot was the higher in L-290/84, 40-N and WSL-29 in 1st year, and WSL-29, L-17/92, L-290/84, 22-N, 40-N, S7C8, and L-48/89 were found to be resistant during 2nd year. On the basis of all the traits clones L-48/89, 22-N, L-290/84, 40-N, and WSL-22 have shown promise and need to be tested at multiple sites before commercial cultivation.

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Adaptability of Narrow-Crowned Norway Spruce Ideotype (Picea abies (L.) Karst. pendula Form) in 25 Years Half-Sib Comparative Trials in the Eastern Carpathians

Forests ◽

10.3390/f10050395 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. 395 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ecaterina Apostol ◽

Marius Budeanu

Keyword(s):

Picea Abies ◽

Norway Spruce ◽

Wood Density ◽

Environmental Conditions ◽

Growth Traits ◽

Natural Populations ◽

Tree Height ◽

Field Trials ◽

Breeding Strategy ◽

Eastern Carpathians

This study analysed the stability of the narrow-crowned Norway spruce (pendula form) compared with the classic form of spruce (pyramidalis form) in two half-sib field trials located in the Romanian Carpathians. From eight natural populations, representative of three of the four large spruce spread areas in Romania, open-pollinated seeds from 48 trees (24 pendula ideotype and 24 pyramidalis form) were collected to install the Maneciu and Soveja trials. In these trials, at age 25 years, measurements were performed for the following traits: tree height, breast height diameter, crown diameter, number of branches per whorl and dominant branch diameter. Some important traits were calculated: average volume per tree, trees’ slenderness, crown slenderness and branches’ finesse. Pearson’s simple correlations between the analysed traits were calculated and also the correlations between traits and geographic and climatic gradients of provenances’ origin. In addition, cores were collected to compare the wood density of the two forms of spruce. In both trials, but especially in the limitative environmental conditions of the Soveja trial, the narrow crowned form of Norway spruce (Picea abies f. pendula) presented more favourable average results than the normal crown spruce form for the most important stand stability traits: trees’ slenderness, wood density, branches’ diameter and branches’ finesse. Between spruce crown forms, in both trials, no significant differences were observed for the growth traits, but between trials, higher results resulted in optimal environmental conditions of the Măneciu test (+89% for the trees’ volume). The trees from different provenances and with specific forms of the crown reacted differently to the changing of the testing site, which required the adoption of maximum caution for decisions regarding the transfer of forest reproductive materials. The correlations between the analysed traits converge towards the adoption of a two-step breeding strategy, starting by selection of narrow crowned trees after stability traits.

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Accelerated short-term genetic testing for loblolly pine families

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x88-165 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 18 (8) ◽

pp. 1085-1089 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Claire G. Williams

Keyword(s):

Genetic Testing ◽

Loblolly Pine ◽

Growth Traits ◽

Genetic Correlations ◽

Field Trials ◽

Day Length ◽

Short Term ◽

Test Environment ◽

Short Term Test ◽

Extreme Performance

The following experiment was done to test the hypothesis that acceleration of seedling growth increases the juvenile–mature correlation for growth. Growth traits of 18 open-pollinated loblolly pine (Pinustaeda) familes were compared across (i) field trials measured 8 years after planting (mature age), (ii) a short-term test environment with a supplemental incandescent light source (20-h photoperiod) and a higher fertilizer level, and (iii) a short-term test environment with no supplemental day length and a lower fertilizer level. The ranking of two seedlots of known, extreme performance and the juvenile–mature correlations were used as the criteria of early testing success. Juvenile–mature (family mean) correlations were low (r = 0.13) for the growth-accelerating environment relative to the natural day length environment (r = 0.59) and two check seedlots ranked correctly only in the natural day length environment. The genetic correlations between the short-term tests are high for total height [Formula: see text] but lower for height produced after first budset, the trait that has shown value as a juvenile indicator [Formula: see text] The growth-accelerating treatment increases growth per unit time but prompts abnormal shoot development. The nonaccelerating treatment with no supplemental light offered the most promise for genetic testing of 1st-year loblolly pine seedlings.

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Height growth, wood density and molecular markers to distinguish five tree species of Dipterocarpaceae grown at same site

Bangladesh Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research ◽

10.3329/bjsir.v47i4.14070 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 47 (4) ◽

pp. 407-414

Author(s):

R Rana ◽

RA Villarin ◽

O Gailling ◽

R Finkeldey ◽

A Polle

Keyword(s):

Cluster Analysis ◽

Wood Density ◽

Tree Species ◽

Tree Height ◽

Pcr Analysis ◽

Molecular Fingerprint ◽

Representative Species ◽

Species Cluster ◽

Dna Restriction ◽

Wood Traits

The dipterocarps are of economic and ecological significance. To determine if simple traits can be used to distinguish wood of five representative species (Dipterocarpus kerrii, Hopea plagata, Parashorea malaanoman, Shorea almon and Shorea contorta), we determined tree height, wood density and chloroplastic (cp) DNA restriction patterns as a molecular fingerprint. Wood was obtained from trees of the same age grown at the same plantation (Leyte, Philippines). Data were subjected to cluster analysis (tree height, wood density) and used for the construction of a phylogenetic tree (cpDNA-PCR). Comparison of the result of cluster analysis with the phylogeny of the taxa based on cpDNA variation showed similar differentiation patterns. D. kerrii and H. plagata were always clearly separated from the other three species. Cluster analyses on tree characters revealed a clear grouping of all samples according to species, except for S. contorta, which was partly mixed with the subcluster of P. malaanoman. Since the formation of clades obtained by cpDNA-PCR analysis of samples was similar to that found by cluster analysis, our data indicate that wood traits can be used for taxonomic purposes to distinguish distantly related tree species of the same family. Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 47(4), 407-414, 2012 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjsir.v47i4.14070

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