<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> Tree growth is a multidimensional trait and families vary for components of growth such as height, diameter, foliage and roots. Therefore, variation in tree growth is better studied by analysing biomass production and allocation than simple traits. In addition, biomass is better linked to products such as pulp and wood energy than simple traits. We analysed biomass of 3-year old open-pollinated greenhouse seedlings of white spruce to determine (1) heritability for biomass production and allocation to shoot and root components, (2) correlations between biomass traits, and biomass traits with primary traits, and (3) correlation between biomass production in the greenhouse and height growth for the same families in the field. The study had a randomised complete block design with single-tree plots, 30 blocks and 58 open-pollinated families. Individual-tree heritability (hi2 ) and family mean heritability (hf2 ) ranged from 0.200 to 0.333 and 0.374 to 0.516 for green weight, respectively. Likewise, hi2 and hi2 ranged from 0.186 to 0.359 and 0.352 to 0.536 for dry weight, respectively. Genetic correlation (ra) between green and dry weight ranged from 0.943 to 1.015, while ra between shoot and root dry weight ranged from 0.947 to 0.955. In contrast, ra between biomass traits and field height ranged from -0.403 to -0.124. Thus, we conclude (1) variation in biomass production and allocation exhibited low genetic basis, (2) testing and selection for green or dry weight should lead to similar genotypes, (3) biomass allocation may not be easily altered by selection and breeding, and (4) indirect early selection based on seedling biomass</abstract>

Tree growth is a multidimensional trait and families vary for components of growth such as height, diameter, foliage and roots. Therefore, variation in tree growth is better studied by analysing biomass production and allocation than simple traits. In addition, biomass is better linked to products such as pulp and wood energy than simple traits. We analysed biomass of 3-year old open-pollinated greenhouse seedlings of white spruce to determine (1) heritability for biomass production and allocation to shoot and root components, (2) correlations between biomass traits, and biomass traits with primary traits, and (3) correlation between biomass production in the greenhouse and height growth for the same families in the field. The study had a randomised complete block design with single-tree plots, 30 blocks and 58 open-pollinated families. Individual-tree heritability (hi2 ) and family mean heritability (hf2 ) ranged from 0.200 to 0.333 and 0.374 to 0.516 for green weight, respectively. Likewise, hi2 and hi2 ranged from 0.186 to 0.359 and 0.352 to 0.536 for dry weight, respectively. Genetic correlation (ra) between green and dry weight ranged from 0.943 to 1.015, while ra between shoot and root dry weight ranged from 0.947 to 0.955. In contrast, ra between biomass traits and field height ranged from -0.403 to -0.124. Thus, we conclude (1) variation in biomass production and allocation exhibited low genetic basis, (2) testing and selection for green or dry weight should lead to similar genotypes, (3) biomass allocation may not be easily altered by selection and breeding, and (4) indirect early selection based on seedling biomass

Heritability and Correlations for Biomass Production and Allocation in White Spruce Seedlings

Silvae Genetica

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Tree growth is a multidimensional trait and families vary for components of growth such as height, diameter, foliage and roots. Therefore, variation in tree...

Heritability and Correlations for Biomass Production and Allocation in White Spruce Seedlings

Published Online: Oct 19, 2017

Page range: 228 - 235

Received: Jun 12, 2005

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/sg-2005-0033

Keywords
Dry weight, early selection, genetic variation, heritability, Picea glauca

© 2017

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Heritability and Correlations for Biomass Production and Allocation in White Spruce Seedlings

Published Online: Oct 19, 2017

Page range: 228 - 235

Received: Jun 12, 2005

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/sg-2005-0033

KeywordsDry weight, early selection, genetic variation, heritability, Picea glauca

© 2017

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Keywords
Dry weight, early selection, genetic variation, heritability, Picea glauca