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Quantitative Genetics of Traits Indicative of Biomass Production and Heterosis in 34 Full-sib F1 Salix eriocephala Families

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Abstract

This project examined the heritability of traits that affect biomass production of Salix eriocephala, a shrub willow native to North America and an essential species in the breeding of bioenergy crop varieties. Using an incomplete factorial design, seven females and eight males were crossed to produce 34 full-sib F1 families. Five to 12 entries per family were planted in four-plant plots in a randomized complete block design on two sites. Melampsora rust incidence was scored in the fall of the first growing season (prior to coppice). Height of the tallest stem, cross-sectional stem area per stool, and number of stems per stool were recorded in the winter after the first growing season post-coppice. Plants were harvested 3 years post-coppice and biomass yield was determined. A large percentage of the total variance was additive for all of the traits studied and heritability estimates were low to moderate, suggesting that phenotypic expression of these traits is predictable and can be improved through breeding. Based on yield 3 years after coppice, 29 of the 34 families displayed midparent heterosis, ranging from 1–115%, for the composite trait—biomass yield, strongly indicating that offspring often perform better than their parents in this population. This study will assist in selecting parents which may produce superior progeny in the breeding program.

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Acknowledgements

Excellent technical assistance in support of this project was provided by Mark Appleby, Ken Burns, Peter Greeno, and Brendan Grooms. This work was supported by a grant from Oak Ridge National Laboratory managed by UT-Battelle for the US Department of Energy.

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Author notes

  1. Ingrid S. Phillips

    Present address: Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA

  2. Richard F. Kopp

    Present address: Syracuse Research Corporation, North Syracuse, NY, 13212, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental and Forest Biology, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA

    Kimberly D. Cameron, Ingrid S. Phillips, Richard F. Kopp, Lawrence P. Abrahamson & Lawrence B. Smart

  2. Department of Forest and Natural Resources Management, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA

    Timothy A. Volk, Charles A. Maynard & Lawrence P. Abrahamson

Authors
  1. Kimberly D. Cameron
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  2. Ingrid S. Phillips
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  3. Richard F. Kopp
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  4. Timothy A. Volk
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  5. Charles A. Maynard
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  6. Lawrence P. Abrahamson
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  7. Lawrence B. Smart
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lawrence B. Smart.

Additional information

Kimberly D. Cameron and Ingrid S. Phillips contributed equally and should be considered co-first authors.

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Cameron, K.D., Phillips, I.S., Kopp, R.F. et al. Quantitative Genetics of Traits Indicative of Biomass Production and Heterosis in 34 Full-sib F1 Salix eriocephala Families. Bioenerg. Res. 1, 80–90 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12155-008-9006-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12155-008-9006-x

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