Pattern of genotype by environment interaction for radiata pine in southern Australia

Abstract

Key message Based on analyses using 20 genetically connected radiata pine trials and on the pattern of trial-trial genetic correlations, current regionalisation of breeding in southern Australia seems justified. However, relationships between environmental variables and genotype by environment interaction are complex.Context Current radiata pine breeding and deployment in Australia is based largely on the plantation inventory zones rather than on biological patterns of genotype by environment interaction (GxE), and consequently cannot deliver optimal genetic gains across the whole plantation estate.Aim This study examined patterns of GxE to facilitate deployment of genetic stock to particular environments.Methods We used 20 genetically well-connected trials across southern Australia to obtain estimates of genetic correlations between performances at different trial sites. Extended factor analyses (XFA) were used to estimate GxE variance and produce a matrix of site-site genetic correlations. The patterns among these correlations were examined using a heat map and hierarchical clustering.Results The XFA captured a large proportion of both additive and non-additive GxE. Significant GxE for diameter growth can be expected between Tasmania and Mainland, and within Tasmania itself. The study also confirmed presence of GxE between Murray Valley region in New South Wales and the rest of southern Australia.Conclusion The GxE interaction at transcontinental scale can be correlated to the climate variables, primarily rainfall and temperature; however, the drivers of GxE may also be related to smaller scale environmental variation (i.e. soil and terrain variation).

Keywords

Pinus radiata; Factor analysis; Breeding zones; Genotype deployment

Published in

Annals of Forest Science
2015, Volume: 72, number: 3Publisher: SPRINGER FRANCE

UKÄ Subject classification

Forest Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13595-014-0437-6

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/88767