Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Bayesian estimation of genetic parameters for growth, stem straightness, and survival in Eucalyptus globulus on an Andean Foothill site

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Tree Genetics & Genomes Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Knowledge of the genetic variation of key economic traits in Eucalyptus globulus under cold conditions is crucial to the genetic improvement of environmental tolerances and other economic traits. A Bayesian analysis of genetic parameters for quantitative traits was carried out in 37 E. globulus open-pollinated families under cold conditions in southern Chile. The trial is located in the Andean foothills, in the Province of Bío-Bío. The Bayesian approach was performed using Gibbs sampling algorithm. Multi-trait linear and threshold models were fitted to phenotypic data (growth traits, survival, and stem straightness). Fifteen years after planting, height, diameter at breast height, and stem volume were found to be weakly to moderately heritable with Bayesian credible intervals (probability of 90 %): \( {\widehat{h}}^2 \) = 0.009–0.102, \( {\widehat{h}}^2 \) = 0.031–0.185, and \( {\widehat{h}}^2 \) = 0.045–0.205, respectively. Stem straightness was found to be weakly to moderately heritable ranging from 0.032 to 0.208 (Bayesian 90 % credible interval); posterior mode \( {\widehat{h}}^2 \) = 0.091. Tree survival at age of 15 years was high in the trial (84.8 %) with such heritability values ranging from 0.072 to 0.157. Survival was non-significantly genetically correlated to growth and stem straightness. Stem volume had the highest predicted genetic gains ranging from 17.9 to 23.7 % (selection rate of 15.8 and 8.3 %, respectively). The results of this study confirm the potential for selective breeding of this eucalypt in areas of southern Chile where cold is a significant constraint.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Acuña CV, Fernandez P, Villalba PV, García MN, Hopp HE, Poltri SNM (2012) Discovery, validation, and in silico functional characterization of EST-SSR markers in Eucalyptus globulus. Tree Genet Genomes 8:289–301

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arriagada O, Mora F, Dellarossa JC, Ferreira MFS, Cervigni GDL, Schuster I (2012) Bayesian mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling soybean cyst nematode resistant. Euphytica 186:907–917

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blackburn DP, Hamilton MG, Harwood CE, Baker TG, Potts BM (2013) Assessing genetic variation to improve stem straightness in Eucalyptus globulus. Ann For Sci 70:461–470

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boldman KG, Krise LA, Van Vleck LD, Katchman SD (1995) A manual for use of MTDFREML. In: A Set of programs to obtain estimates of variance and covariance. University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA, p 120, Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service

    Google Scholar 

  • Broadmeadow MSJ, Ray D, Samuel CJA (2005) Climate change and the future for broad-leaved tree species in Britain. Forestry 78:145–161

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bundock PC, Potts BM, Vaillancourt RE (2008) Detection and stability of quantitative trait loci (QTL) in Eucalyptus globulus. Tree Genet Genomes 4:85–95

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burdon RD (2007) Short note—Coefficients of variation in variables with bounded scales. Silvae Genet 57:179–180

    Google Scholar 

  • Callister A, Bush DJ, Collins S, Davis W (2008) Prospects for genetic improvement of Eucalyptus cladocalyx in western Australia. N Z J For Sci 38:211–226

    Google Scholar 

  • Callister AN, England N, Collins S (2011) Genetic analysis of Eucalyptus globulus diameter, straightness, branch size, and forking in western Australia. Can J For Res 41:1333–1343

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cané-Retamales C, Mora F, Vargas-Reeve F, Perret S, Contreras-Soto R (2011) Bayesian threshold analysis of breeding values, genetic correlation and heritability of flowering intensity in Eucalyptus cladocalyx under arid conditions. Euphytica 178:177–183

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cappa EP, Pathauer PS, López GA (2010) Provenance variation and genetic parameters of Eucalyptus viminalis in Argentina. Tree Genet Genomes 6:981–994

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cappa EP, Varona L (2013) An assessor-specific Bayesian multi-threshold mixed model for analyzing ordered categorical traits in tree breeding. Tree Genet Genomes. doi:10.1007/s11295-013-0648-2

    Google Scholar 

  • Cockerham CC, Weir BS (1984) Covariances of relatives stemming from a population undergoing mixed self and random mating. Biometrics 40:157–164

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Coopman RE, Jara JC, Escobar R, Corcuera LJ, Bravo LA (2010) Genotypic variation in morphology and freezing resistance of Eucalyptus globulus seedlings subjected to drought hardening in nursery. Electron J Biotechnol. doi:10.2225/vol13-issue1-fulltext-10

    Google Scholar 

  • Costa E, Silva F, Shvaleva A, Maroco JP, Almeida MH, Chaves MM, Pereira JS (2004) Responses to water stress in two eucalyptus globulus clones differing in drought tolerance. Tree Physiol 24:1165–1172

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Costa E, Silva F, Shvaleva A, Broetto F, Ortuño MF, Rodrigues ML, Almeida MH, Chaves MM, Pereira JS (2008) Acclimation to short-term low temperatures in two Eucalyptus globulus clones with contrasting drought resistance. Tree Physiol 29:77–86

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Costa E, Silva J, Hardner CM, Potts BM (2010) Genetic variation and parental performance under inbreeding for growth in Eucalyptus globulus. Ann For Sci 67:606

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Faria CU, Pires BC, Vozzi AP, Magnabosco CU, Koury Filho W, Viu MAO, Oliveira HN, Lôbo RB (2010) Genetic correlations between categorical morphological traits in nelore cattle by applying Bayesian analysis under a threshold animal model: Genetic correlations between categorical morphological traits. J Anim Breed Genet 127:377–384

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hallander J, Waldmann P (2009) Optimization of selection contribution and mate allocations in monoecious tree breeding populations. BMC Genet. doi:10.1186/1471-2156-10-70

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Huang XS, Wang W, Zhang Q, Liu JH (2013) A basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, PtrbHLH, of Poncirus trifoliata confers cold tolerance and modulates peroxidase-mediated scavenging of hydrogen peroxide. Plant Physiol 162:1178–1194

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kadarmideen HN, Janss LLG (2005) Evidence of a major gene from Bayesian segregation analyses of liability to osteochondral diseases in pigs. Genetics 171(3):1195–1206

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Longin CFH, Sieber AN, Reif JOC (2013) Combining frost tolerance, high grain yield and good pasta quality in durum wheat. Plant Breed. doi:10.1111/pbr.12064

    Google Scholar 

  • Lopez GA, Potts BM, Dutkowski GW, Apiolaza LA, Gelid PE (2002) Genetic variation and inter-trait correlations in Eucalyptus globulus base population trials in Argentina. For Genet 9:217–231

    Google Scholar 

  • Meissner M, Orsini E, Ruschhaupt M, Melchinger AE, Hincha DK, Heyer AG (2013) Mapping quantitative trait loci for freezing tolerance in a recombinant inbred line population of Arabidopsis thaliana accessions tenela and C24 reveals REVEILLE1 as negative regulator of cold acclimation. Plant Cell Environ 36:1256–1267

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mora F, Perret S, Scapim CA, Arnhold E (2010) Genetic parameters of growth and survival in Acacia saligna shrubs. Ciencia e Investig Agrar 37:5–14

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mora F, Gleadow R, Perret S, Scapim CA (2009a) Genetic variation for early flowering, survival and growth in sugar gum (Eucalyptus cladocalyx F. Muell) in southern Atacama Desert. Euphytica 169:335–344

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mora F, Scapim CA, Pinto RJB (2009b) El análisis bayesiano y la precisión de los valores de la heredabilidad en especies perennes. Ciênc Florestal 19:345–351

    Google Scholar 

  • Mora F, Saavedra J (2012) Combining genetic gain and diversity under an individual selection method in a selected provenance of Eucalyptus cladocalyx. Cienc e Investig Agraria 39:177–184

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mora F, Rubilar R, Emhart VI, Saavedra J (2013) Predicción bayesiana de parámetros genéticos en clones de Eucalyptus globulus bajo condiciones de suplemento hídrico. Cienc Florestal 23:529–536

    Google Scholar 

  • Moraga PS, Escobar R, Valenzuela SA (2006) Resistance to freezing in three Eucalyptus globulus Labill subspecies. Electron J Biotechnol 9(3):310–314

    Google Scholar 

  • Moura JCMS, Araújo P, Brito MS, Souza UR, Viana JOF, Mazzafera P (2012) Validation of reference genes from Eucalyptus spp. under different stress conditions. BMC Research Notes. doi:10.1186/1756-0500-5-634

  • Muir WM (2005) Incorporation of competitive effects in forest tree or animal breeding programs. Genetics 170:1247–1259

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Navarrete-Campos D, Bravo LA, Rubilar RA, Emhart V, Sanhueza R (2013) Drought effects on water use efficiency, freezing tolerance and survival of Eucalyptus globulus and Eucalyptus globulus x nitens cuttings. New For 44:119–134

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neath AA, Cavanaugh JE (2012) The Bayesian information criterion: background, derivation, and applications. Comput Stat 4:199–203

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pavan BE, Paula RC, Perecin D, Candido LS, Scarpinati EA (2011) Minimizing inter-genotypic competition effects to predict genetic values and selection in forestry genetic tests. Sci Agric 68:671–678

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rasmussen-Poblete S, Valdés J, Gamboa M, Valenzuela P, Krauskopf E (2008) Generation and analysis of an Eucalyptus globulus cDNA library constructed from seedlings subjected to low temperature conditions. Electron J Biotechnol. doi:10.2225/vol11-issue2-fulltext-14

    Google Scholar 

  • R Development Core Team (2011) R: A language and environment for statistical computing. R foundation for statistical computing, Vienna, Austria. http://www.R-project.org Accessed 21 August 2013

  • Rodriguez R, Real P, Espinosa M, Perry DA (2009) A process-based model to evaluate site quality for Eucalyptus nitens in the Bío-Bío region of Chile. Forestry 82:149–162

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Santos AI, Ribeiro RP, Vargas L, Mora F, Filho LA, Fornari DC, Oliveira SN (2011) Bayesian genetic parameters for body weight and survival of Nile tilapia farmed in Brazil. Pesq Agrop Brasileira 46:33–43

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sanghera GS, Wani SH, Hussain W, Singh NB (2011) Engineering cold stress tolerance in crop plants. Curr Genomics 12:30–43

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schenkel FS, Schaeffer LR, Boettcher PJ (2002) Comparison between estimation of breeding values and fixed effects using Bayesian and empirical BLUP estimation under selection on parents and missing pedigree information. Genet Sel Evol 34:41–59

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schreiber SG, Hamann A, Hacke UG, Thomas BR (2013) Sixteen years of winter stress: an assessment of cold hardiness, growth performance and survival of hybrid poplar clones at a boreal planting site. Plant Cell Environ 36:419–428

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stock KF, Distl O, Hoeschele I (2007) Bayesian estimation of genetic parameters for multivariate threshold and continuous phenotypes and molecular genetic data in simulated horse populations using Gibbs sampling. BMC Genet. doi:10.1186/1471-2156-8-19

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Van Tassell CP, Van Vleck LD (1996) Multiple-trait Gibbs sampler for animal models: flexible programs for Bayesian and likelihood-based (co)variance component inference. J Anim Sci 74:2586–2597

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Van Tassell CP, Van Vleck LD, Gregory KE (1998) Bayesian analysis of twinning and ovulation rates using a multiple‑trait threshold model and Gibbs sampling. J Anim Sci 76:2048–2061

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vargas-Reeve F, Mora F, Perret S, Scapim CA (2013) Heritability of stem straightness and genetic correlations in Eucalyptus cladocalyx in the semi-arid region of Chile. Crop Breed Appl Biotechnol 13:107–112

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waldmann P, Ericsson T (2006) Comparison of REML and Gibbs sampling estimates of multi-trait genetic parameters in Scots pine. Theor Appl Genet 112:1441–1451

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ye TZ, Jayawickrama KJS, St Clair JB (2010) Realized gains from block-plot coastal Douglas-fir trials in the northern Oregon cascades. Silvae Genet 59:29–39

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Data archiving statement

We followed standard Tree Genetics and Genomes policy. In addition, supplementary information of the trial and family numbers are listed in Supplemental File 1.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Biología Vegetal y Biotecnología, Universidad de Talca, 2 Norte 685, Talca, Chile

    Freddy Mora

  2. Semillas Imperial SpA, Los Ángeles, Chile

    Nicolle Serra

Authors
  1. Freddy Mora
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Nicolle Serra
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Freddy Mora.

Additional information

Communicated by R. Burdon

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplemental File 1

(XLSX 59 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mora, F., Serra, N. Bayesian estimation of genetic parameters for growth, stem straightness, and survival in Eucalyptus globulus on an Andean Foothill site. Tree Genetics & Genomes 10, 711–719 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11295-014-0716-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11295-014-0716-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation