Efficiency of early selection for rotation-aged wood quality traits in radiata pine

Abstract

A total of 360 bark-to-bark-through-pith wood strips were sampled at breast height from 180 trees in 30 open-pollinated families from two rotation-aged genetic trials to study inheritance, age-age genetic correlation, and early selection efficiency for wood quality traits in radiata pine. Wood strips were evaluated by SilviScan® and annual pattern and genetic parameters for growth, wood density, microfibril angle (MFA), and stiffness (modulus of elasticity: MOE) for early to rotation ages were estimated. Annual ring growth was the largest between ages 2-5 years from pith, and decreased linearly to ages 9-10. Annual growth was similar and consistent at later ages. Wood density was the lowest near the pith, increased steadily to age 11-15 years, then was relatively stable after these ages. MFA was highest (35°) near the pith and reduced to about 10° at age 10-15 years. MFA was almost unchanged at later ages. MOE increased from about 2.5 GPa near the pith to about 20 GPa at ages 11-15 years. MOE was relatively unchanged at later ages. Wood density and MOE were inversely related to MFA. Heritability increased from zero near the pith and stabilised at ages 4 or 5 for all four growth and wood quality traits (DBH, density, MFA and MOE). Across age classes, heritability was the highest for area-weighted density and MFA, lowest for DBH, and intermediate for MOE. Age-age genetic correlations were high for the four traits studied. The genetic correlation reached 0.8 after age 7 for most traits. Early selection for density, MFA and MOE were very effective. Selection at age 7-8 has similar effectiveness as selection conducted at rotation age for MFA and MOE and at least 80% effective for wood density. © INRA, EDP Sciences, 2007.