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Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis of wood quality traits in Eucalyptus nitens

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Abstract

To identify the chromosomal regions affecting wood quality traits, we conducted a genome-wide quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis of wood quality traits in Eucalyptus nitens. This information is important to exploit the full potential of the impending Eucalyptus genome sequence. A three generational mapping population consisting of 296 progeny trees was used to identify QTL associated with several wood quality traits in E. nitens. Thirty-six QTL positions for cellulose content, pulp yield, lignin content, density, and microfibril angle (MFA) were identified across different linkage groups. On linkage groups (LG)2 and 8, cellulose QTL cluster with pulp yield and extractives QTL while on LG4 and 10 cellulose and pulp yield QTLs cluster together. Similarly, on LG4, 5, and 6 QTL for lignin traits were clustered together. At two positions, QTL for MFA, a physical trait related to wood stiffness, were clustered with QTL for lignin traits. Several cell wall candidate genes were co-located to QTL positions affecting different traits. Comparative QTL analysis with Eucalyptus globulus revealed two common QTL regions for cellulose and pulp yield. The QTL positions identified in this study provide a resource for identifying wood quality genes using the impending Eucalyptus genome sequence. Candidate genes identified in this study through co-location to QTL regions may be useful in association studies.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Jan Murrell and Kylie Groom for molecular genotype assays and Linda Ballard for NIR sample preparation. We gratefully acknowledge the funding for part of this work received from the CRC for Sustainable Forestry. We thank Gunn’s Ltd. for kindly allowing access to the population used in this study. We thank Greg Rebetzke and Meredith McNeil for their helpful comments on the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CSIRO Plant Industry, GPO Box 1600, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia

    Bala R. Thumma, Simon G. Southerton, John C. Bell & John V. Owen

  2. Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 0200, Australia

    Martin L. Henery & Gavin F. Moran

Authors
  1. Bala R. Thumma
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  2. Simon G. Southerton
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  3. John C. Bell
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  4. John V. Owen
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  5. Martin L. Henery
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  6. Gavin F. Moran
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Correspondence to Bala R. Thumma.

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Communicated by D. Grattapaglia

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Thumma, B.R., Southerton, S.G., Bell, J.C. et al. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis of wood quality traits in Eucalyptus nitens . Tree Genetics & Genomes 6, 305–317 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11295-009-0250-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11295-009-0250-9

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