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An investigation of assumptions made in estimating genetic parameters and predicting genetic gain in a Eucalyptus nitens breeding programme in South Africa

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Abstract

It is important to have an understanding of the population genetics and validity of the pertinent underlying assumptions of a species in order to design an effective breeding strategy. In a South African breeding population of Eucalyptus nitens, various scenarios investigating a range of assumptions were developed and used to predict genetic gain in the F2. These were compared with realised gains achieved in a series of genetic gain trials. In the two scenarios using firstly, actual flowering for family (provenance) and, secondly, estimated flowering after 30 % roguing of poor families, a coefficient of relationship of 0.33 resulted in predictions closest to realised gain, on average. The statistical information suggested that outcrossing in the seed orchards was >80 %. Indications were that the effects were additive, and that very little or no heterosis had occurred, due to the still significant provenance effects and the lack of provenance rank changes in the F2. The custom of assuming a degree of inbreeding (and using a coefficient of relationship of 0.33) and of including provenance effects in the models, on average resulted in genetic gain predictions which were very similar to the realised genetic gains in this population of E. nitens.

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Notes

  1. Gardner RAW. 2012. Institute for Commercial Forestry Research, Pietermaritzburg, PO Box 100281, Scottsville, 3209, South Africa.

  2. Jones W. 2013. Shaw Research Centre, Tweedie, PO Box 473, Howick, 3290, South Africa.

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Acknowledgments

Masonite Ltd., Mondi Ltd, NCT Forestry Co-Operative Ltd., PG Bison, TWK Ltd. and York Timbers Ltd. are gratefully acknowledged as funders of this project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Commercial Forestry Research (ICFR), PO Box 100281, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3209, South Africa

    T-L Swain

  2. Department of Genetics, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0028, South Africa

    S. D. Verryn

  3. Creation Breeding Innovations, 75 Kafue St, Lynnwood Glen, 0081, South Africa

    S. D. Verryn

  4. School of Agricultural Earth and Environmental Sciences (SAEES), University of KwaZulu-Natal, PO Box X01, Scottsville, 3209, South Africa

    M. D. Laing

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  1. T-L Swain
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  3. M. D. Laing
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Correspondence to T-L Swain.

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Swain, TL., Verryn, S.D. & Laing, M.D. An investigation of assumptions made in estimating genetic parameters and predicting genetic gain in a Eucalyptus nitens breeding programme in South Africa. New Forests 46, 7–21 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-014-9444-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-014-9444-6

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