Genetic trends in wood density and radial growth with cambial age in a radiata pine progeny test
Open Access
- 1 July 2002
- journal article
- conference paper
- Published by EDP Sciences in Annals of Forest Science
- Vol. 59 (5-6), 541-549
- https://doi.org/10.1051/forest:2002039
Abstract
The main objective of this study was to describe trends in genetic parameters for wood density and radial growth through cambial age in a radiata pine progeny test established in the south of Chile. Wood samples from 31 half-sib families of radiata pine were obtained and submitted to an X-ray densitometry procedure. The analyzed traits were total ring width (TRW), ring area (RA), and average ring density (ARD). Statistical analyses were conducted to estimate the heritability of individual traits at the ring level and the ring-to-ring genetic correlation between ARD and radial growth. The pattern of change of genetic parameters with cambial age is especially affected between rings 6 to 10, which can be related with the transition from juvenile wood to adult wood. The genetic control of ring density was strong at cambial ages 2 and 3 and dropped to zero within the transition zone (rings 6 and 8). After ring 10, the genetic control of ARD varied from low to moderate. From cambial ages 3 to 9, the genetic correlation between ring density and radial growth was positive. From rings 5 to 9, the phenotypic correlation was also positive but low. At rings 8 and 9, the relationship between radial growth and density changed and strong within-plot competition effects possibly affected the phenotypic correlation between ring density and radial growth. After ring 9, the genetic correlation was negative but weak. The phenotypic correlation between ring density and radial growth increased its negative magnitude towards cambial age 14, which may have been the result of local micro site influences, such as competition for light and nutrients.Keywords
This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit:
- Growth rate effects on correlations among ring width, wood density, and mean tracheid length in Norway spruce (Picea abies)Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 1998