Estimation of genetic parameters, provenance performances, and genotype by environment interactions for growth and stiffness in lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta)

Abstract

Genetic parameters, performance of provenances, and genotype by environment interaction (G × E) for diameter at breast height (DBH), survival, and modulus of elasticity of time-of-flight (MOE tof) (an indirect measure of stiffness), were investigated in six lodgepole pine progeny trials, aged 33-36 years, within three breeding zones in northern Sweden. Provenances of Yukon origin had the highest growth but lowest stiffness at higher latitude, while those of British Columbia (BC) origin grew faster at lower latitudes and had highest stiffness within zone 5. Combined-site heritability estimates ranged from 0.09 to 0.19 for DBH, from 0.19 to 0.27 for MOE tof , and from 0.13 to 0.26 for survival. Type-B genetic correlations (r b) were generally high for all studied traits, except for DBH and survival in zone 4 (r b = 0.74 and 0.40, respectively) and for MOE tof in zone 2 (r b = 0.46). On the basis of the results obtained in this study, G × E for stiffness in northern Sweden and unfavourable growth-stiffness genetic correlation should be considered in selective breeding programmes of lodgepole pine. To achieve the highest stiffness for lodgepole pine, provenances of Yukon origin should be planted at lower latitudes and those of BC origin should be planted at lower elevations within the tested breeding zones.

New evidence for the importance of soil nitrogen on the survival and adaptation of silver birch to climate warming

“…Notwithstanding, the results from commercial forestry and common garden experiments indicate large acclimation capacity (i.e., nongenetic acclimation to prevailing environmental conditions) for photoperiod (Han et al 1985, Rousi et al 2012, Hayatgheibi et al 2019, Spiecker et al 2019) and for many species rapid evolutionary change should be possible in response to warming (Berteaux 2004, Hamrick 2004). In this context, the genetic composition of natural populations is essential for adaptation (i.e., genetic adaptation to environmental conditions), with high genetic variation facilitating rapid adaptation to new conditions (Hamrick et al 1992, Mueller et al 2017).…”

The growth, pilodyn penetration, and wood properties of 12 Neolamarckia cadamba provenances at 42 months old

“…The results indicated that the heritability value in the pilodyn penetration and the wood physical properties are greater than the heritability of growth (height), but did not differ from the heritability of diameter (Hallingbäck et al 2008;Wu et al 2008;Chen et al 2014;Hong et al 2014;Hayatgheibi et al 2019).…”

“…Previous studies reported that tree improvement programs affect the growth and properties of wood, especially its density, for example in Pinus pinaster (Gaspar et al 2009), Picea glauca (Lenz et al 2013), Pinus banksiana (Hébert et al 2016), and Pinus contorta (Hayatgheibi et al 2019). It is crucial to investigate wood density to obtain basic information on wood quality at a certain age and for consideration in the selection program.…”

“…Information on other wood properties such as fiber length, microfibril angle (MFA), and MOE is also important in supporting tree improvement programs (Moore et al 2009;Lenz et al 2013;Hébert et al 2016;Hayatgheibi et al 2019) related to the usefulness of wood. Therefore, it is essential to know the wood properties and the relationship between growth, wood density (Raymond et al 1998;Zhang et al 2003;Monteuuis et al 2011), pilodyn penetration, and other wood properties.…”

Growing Non-native Trees in European Forests Brings Benefits and Opportunities but Also Has Its Risks and Limits

“…In another example, a genetic gain of about 25% for volume growth at rotation age was estimated when improved material of Sitka spruce is used in the UK [18]. For lodgepole pine in Sweden, where breeding has a tradition of more than 50 years, recent studies show the perspective of simultaneous selection for growth and stiffness [44]. For Monterrey pine in northern Spain, genetic improvement started in the 1980s and mainly focused on growth performance, branching and on frost and insect resistance.…”