Background
Three of the traits considered of most economic importance in the genetic improvement of Pinus radiata D. Don, termed as ‘key’ traits, are tree diameter (a proxy for stem volume), wood density and wood stiffness. A number of other traits (non-key traits) may be of equal importance to growers depending on where and for what purpose the trees are being grown. Two such non-key traits are: resistance to the needle blight caused by Dothistroma septosporum (Dorog.) M. Morelet, and reduced heartwood content.
Methods
Data from two trial series (each planted at two sites, from a total of some 330 families (189 were half-sib and 142 were full-sib) with 10 to 30 individuals assessed per family) were analysed to determine the effect forwards selection of key traits had upon genetic gains of these two non-key traits.
Results
Multivariate analysis for each trial provided estimates of trait narrow-sense heritabilities (h 2) and genetic correlations between traits. Density was the most heritable trait assessed (ĥ 2 0.50 to 0.72) with heartwood ring number (0.21 to 0.35), acoustic velocity (0.40), resistance to Dothistroma septosporum (0.20 to 0.34) and stem diameter (0.11 to 0.25) being less heritable. Wood properties were adversely correlated with growth rate to varying degrees.
To estimate the impact of differing technical weights on multiple traits a selection index model was used. Strong positive genetic correlations (r g 0.69 to 0.87) between resistance to Dothistroma septosporum and stem diameter means that strong selection for stem diameter after severe Dothistroma attack assures genetic gain in resistance to Dothistroma septosporum. Strong selection for stem diameter compromised wood properties due to adverse correlations between the two. Heartwood ring number was almost uncorrelated with the other key traits, density and stiffness, meaning that zero or slight negative gain would be expected via indirect selection.
Conclusions
In such instances, it is advocated that key traits be selected for in the breeding population using a selection index and that non-key traits such as heartwood be selected using independent culling in the production population.