Genetic evaluation of Pinus taeda clones from somatic embryogenesis and their genotype x environment interaction

Poliana Coqueiro Dias,Fabrício Antonio Biernaski,Márcio Henrique Pereira Barbosa,Aloizio Xavier,Marcos Deon Vilela De Resende,Regiane Abjaud Estopa

doi:10.1590/1984-70332018v18n1a8

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the genotype x environment interaction and to estimate the genetic components of variance and mean using mixed models in early selection of 238 clones of Pinus taeda propagated by somatic embryogenesis. The experiment consisted of a complete blocks design, with 12 replications, with one plant per plot, in four environments, at 1, 3, and 4 years of age. Estimates of heritability and of genetic gains in the evaluated environments showed good prospects for selection of superior genotypes. The effect of genotype x environment interaction was pronounced for all traits investigated. With the simultaneous selection for stability and adaptability, 10% genetic gain was obtained in relation to the mean of the commercial controls. This estimated gain indicates that the somatic embryogenesis technique has been effective in propagation of clones with good productive potential.

Highlights

In Brazil, Pinus taeda has presented better development in the South and Southeast regions (Martinez et al 2012)
Considering the evaluations in the third and in the fourth years, heritability values for clones means in relation to the traits height, DBH, and volume were of high magnitude, and significant by the likelihood ratio test at 5% significance
This fact results in high accuracies in the selection of clones propagated by somatic embryogenesis, indicating expressive genetic control for these traits in Pinus taeda clones (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

In Brazil, Pinus taeda has presented better development in the South and Southeast regions (Martinez et al 2012). The increase in yield observed in Pinus taeda plantations is mainly due to the use of genetically superior material derived from breeding programs (Mckeand et al 2006, Martinez et al 2012). In view of the positive impacts of Pinus breeding programs on the production of raw material suitable for the manufacturing of long fiber cellulose (Mckeand et al 2006, Martinez et al 2012), their implementation in agricultural corporations is fundamental for yield increase. The negative effects of ontogeny have led to difficulties in clonal propagation and have made the use of Pinus taeda clones on a commercial scale unviable (Pullman and Bucalo 2011). Somatic embryogenesis has been developed and used in Pinus

Objectives

Methods

Results