A Study of Population Variation and Inheritance in Sitka spruce - IV: Correlated response in the progeny population based on selection in the parental population

S.J. Lee, J. Woolliams, C.J.A. Samuel, D.C. Malcolm

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This study investigated the potential benefits to a tree breeding programme of selection based on height in the original ortet population, and on diameter and wood density of grafted-ramets representing the same ortets growing in a clone bank. The trees studied were a large, randomly selected same-aged population of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) individuals of known origin growing on a single site in North-West Scotland. Estimates of correlated response indicated the value of including ortet height when adjusted for an environmental variable (in this case height above sea level), and grafted-ramet wood density and diameter in the estimation of breeding values. A selection intensity of 1 in 20 for height amongst ortets in the forest or grafted-ramets in the clone bank each gave a correlated increase in mid-rotation diameter of around 6 % in the next generation. A similar selection intensity for wood density in the grafted-ramet population would give a 15% increase of wood density in the next generation. The study indicates worthwhile gain can be achieved at the stage of plus-tree selection when moderate single tree heritability is combined with sufficiently high selection intensity.
Original languageUndefined/Unknown
Pages (from-to)36-44
Number of pages9
JournalSilvae Genetica
Volume56
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 2007

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • Picea sitchensis genetic variation heritability grafted-ramets parental population progeny testing correlated response selection intensity genetic-parameters vigor traits age trends britain

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