Abstract
Genetic material originating from contrasting European chestnut (Castanea sativa) populations of Greece, Italy and Spain was evaluated in a common garden test situated in Greece. The aim of the study is to device an appropriate selection strategy by identifying and conserving superior genotypes for current and future use in breeding programs. Breeding material consisted of 143 open-pollinated families growing in a common garden provenance-progeny experimental trial. Growth trait genetic parameters were estimated and response to selection was evaluated using family, within family and combined selection methods. Two models were employed for the estimation of family variance and genetic parameters. The CVA varied between 12.1% and 67% among traits and models, showing an increasing trend with age. Heritability estimates were high; however their variation with age was irregular. Selection of superior families regarding three years of measurement for height, diameter, volume index and number of leaves showed a potential gain of 12% - 25%, 12% - 28%, 33% - 73% and 21% - 49% over the mean of all plants. Genetic gain for volume index was the highest among the traits studied and the joint model used presented a more effective selection strategy. Results indicate that the experimental trial studied presented substantial genetic variation and sufficient genetic gain opportunities for quantitative traits of economic importance. These findings suggest that inferior trees can be rogued from the experimental trial and a seedling seed orchard of Castanea sativa in Greece can be established.
Highlights
European chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.), is one of the most important multipurpose broadleaf species in Western Europe and the Mediterranean
Response to selection may be predicted on the basis of biostatistical models provided appropriate statistical and genetic parameters are determined from field experimentation (Falconer, 1989)
Analysis of variance per year (Table 2) revealed provenance effects that were significant at ages four and six for diameter while no particular trend were observed for the provenance effect with age
Summary
European chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.), is one of the most important multipurpose broadleaf species in Western Europe and the Mediterranean. Response to selection may be predicted on the basis of biostatistical models provided appropriate statistical and genetic parameters are determined from field experimentation (Falconer, 1989). This approach permits the prediction of the effectiveness of a wide range of various methods of selection, based on different selection criteria. Of particular interest is the “combined family and progeny within family” selection This method results in a higher genetic gain especially for low heritability traits (Falconer, 1989) which may not be amenable to QTL mapping and MAS selection. Growth traits are often evaluated in breeding programs, since they are important components of plant vigour and biomass production, directly related to wood economic value (Bradshaw & Stettler, 1995)
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