Genetic differences between autochthonous and breeding populations of common cypress (Cupressus sempervirens L.) in Greece

Individuals were selected for resistance against the imperfect fungus Seiridium cardinale Wag in six common cypress populations (Cupressus sempervirens L.) in Greece. A total of 109 resistant clones and 140 trees from their base populations were surveyed at several allozyme loci. The comparison yielded information on changes in genetic variation due to artificial selection. The genetic structure of the breeding populations was similar to their base populations. Nevertheless, the number of rare alleles among the resistant clones had decreased, showing a similar trend at most loci and for most comparisons. Possible implications for breeding strategies are discussed.     

Optimum age for selection based on a time trend of genetic parameters related to diameter growth in seedling seed orchards of Eucalyptus pellita in Indonesia

The time trend of genetic parameters related to diameter growth was investigated using data at ages from 1 to 6 years to determine the optimum age for selection in four seedling seed orchards of Eucalyptus pellita in South Kalimantan and Riau (Sumatra), Indonesia. The seed orchards at each location were from three geographically distinct provenances from Papua New Guinea. The pooled sum of squares and sum of cross products derived from an analysis of variance of growth of the three provenance populations were used to estimate genetic parameters at each location. Because the genetic parameters at rotation age, 8 years in this study, were not available, they were estimated using functions derived from their time trends. Phenotypic variances and genetic variances calculated at each age were converted to the corresponding square roots, and then analyzed by the linear regression using means as independent variables. The trend of juvenile–mature correlation was fitted by a modified Richards function with the ratio of the older diameter mean to the juvenile diameter as an independent variable. Early selection always resulted in more genetic gain per year than selection at rotation age, and the optimum age for selection, where genetic gain per year was maximized, was found to be 4 and 5 years in the two locations.     

Quantitative variation among Kenyan populations of Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. for gum production, seed and growth traits

Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. is an African leguminous multipurpose tree species belonging to subfamily Mimosoideae and subgenus Aculeiferum, highly valued for gum arabic production. This study estimated the genetic diversity within and among Kenyan populations of the species in the Bulla Sambul, Kutulo, Wamba and Meisori populations based on 12 quantitative traits, which included; tree height, diameter at breast height (DBH), number of branches, bark thickness, gum weight and various pod and seed traits on 20 randomly selected trees in every population. Duncan’s multiple range test (DMRT) and the dendrogram distinctively divided the populations into two groups; Wamba and Meisori in one group while Bulla Sambul and Kutulo in the other, indicating geographical structuring of the genetic variability. The trees were larger, taller with greater pod and seed traits in the Wamba and Meisori than the Bulla Sambul and Kutulo populations. Contrarily, trees had lighter seeds, more branches with higher gum weight in the Kutulo and Bulla Sambul than the Wamba and Meisori populations. The Shannon–Weaver diversity index (H), depicted 1,000-seed weight as the most varied trait across the populations. These findings provide essential information on the genetic diversity of the species, necessary for delineation of particular zones for seed sources for germplasm conservation, selection for domestication and improved gum arabic production.     

Provenance and family variation in growth performance of Eucalyptus tereticornis (Sm.) in a provenance cum progeny trial in Midnapore, India

Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm. is an important species for agroforestry and commercial plantations in India. Results of a combined provenance–progeny trial of E. tereticornis laid out in 2002 at Midnapore (West Bengal) located in eastern tropical region of India are reported and discussed. Twelve provenances representing 70 families from Australia and Papua New Guinea were evaluated up to the age of 3 years. As a local seed source open-pollinated seed collected from a land race, i.e., Mysore gum (commonly known as Eucalyptus hybrid) was used to serve as check material (control). Significant variation in plant height, clean stem height, girth at breast height (GBH) and field survival was observed due to provenances, as well as families within provenances. This offers an ample scope to a breeder for increasing the growth and productivity in E. tereticornis through selection of provenances and families having potential for higher productivity. Heritability (narrow sense) values were appreciable for growth traits. Within provenance individual tree heritability estimates for height, clean stem length, GBH and number of branches at age 3 years were 0.318, 0.215, 0.269 and 0.231, respectively (assuming a coefficient of relationship of 0.4 for open-pollinated families of E. tereticornis). Provenance of Walsh River, Queensland Australia performed best for plant height, clean stem height, GBH, number of branches and field survival. Apart from this, the provenance from Oro bay to Emo, Papua New Guinea and Burdekin river, Queensland also showed good performance. Provenance from Yurammie, SF from New South Wales performed poorest for growth and survival. Correlations on growth traits were high and statistically significant, indicating that substantial gains could be achieved through indirect selection for one trait based on the direct selection for another. Age–age genetic correlations between age 1 and 3 years for the growth traits were highly significant and positive. Geographic clinal variation pattern was observed as latitude was negatively correlated with height and GBH (P < 0.05); longitude with number of branches (negative, P < 0.05). Fair differences were observed between phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variability.     

Genetic variation in seed and seedling traits in 12 African provenances of Faidherbia albida (del.) A. Chev. at Lodwar, Kenya

The extent of genetic variation in seed length, width, thickness, weight and germination percentage and seedling traits among and within 12 African provenances of Faidherbia albida was examined. The regional provenances showed a consistent variation in seed length, seed width and seed weight: the southern African provenances had the largest seeds and west African provenances the smallest. Seedling height, stem collar diameter and true leaf number differed (P = 0.05) among the provenances 90 days after germination. The seedlings from west Africa were shorter, had smaller stem collar diameter and fewer leaves. In contrast, the southern and east African provenances had taller seedlings with bigger seedling diameter and more leaves per seedling. Seedling traits did not show clear-cut divisions between southern and east African provenances, but the west African provenances formed a distinct group. Positive correlations were found in some of the seed characteristics and seedling height among provenances, which could be an important criterion for early provenance selection. Greater variation was observed for seed and seedling traits among than within provenances suggesting that selection among provenances might result in rapid genetic gain for the traits studied. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Juvenile genetic parameter estimates for vigour,stem form,branching habit and survival in three radiata pine (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus radiata</Emphasis> D.Don) progeny tests in Galicia,NW Spain

Individual and family heritabilities, as well as phenotypic and genetic correlations were estimated 2 and 3 years after plantation, in progeny tests carried out in plantations of open-pollinated Pinus radiata D.Don progeny located at three different sites in Galicia (NW Spain). The following factors were considered: survival, growth (free growth, height, diameter, volume, height/diameter ratio), form (number of branches, number of whorls, number of branches per whorl, number of branches per tree height meter, number of ramicorn branches, diameter of the thickest branch, internode length, branch angle, stem straightness, stem sinuosity, number of forks) and resistance (frost and insect resistance). Each plantation contained 50 female parents that had been selected as plus trees in genetically unimproved plantations in Galicia, as well as 6 female parents selected from the radiata pine breeding programme in the Basque Country (northern Spain) and two commercial lots of seed from Galicia, as controls. Individual heritabilities varied from low to high levels for each trait studied. Family heritabilities followed similar trends for individual heritabilities, but were of much greater magnitude. The results suggested that all traits except the number of branches per whorl and insect resistance could be expected to respond to selection based on individual performance. The less heritable traits could be improved by progeny testing. Height and diameter were strongly and positively correlated, and both traits were also correlated with the number of branches, the number of whorls and the branch diameter. The results are compared with previously published data and discussed in relation to the implications for breeding activities.