Genomic-based multiple-trait evaluation in Eucalyptus grandis using dominant DArT markers

We investigated the impact of combining the pedigree- and genomic-based relationship matrices in a multiple-trait individual-tree mixed model (a.k.a., multiple-trait combined approach) on the estimates of heritability and on the genomic correlations between growth and stem straightness in an open-pollinated Eucalyptus grandis population. Additionally, the added advantage of incorporating genomic information on the theoretical accuracies of parents and offspring breeding values was evaluated. Our results suggested that the use of the combined approach for estimating heritabilities and additive genetic correlations in multiple-trait evaluations is advantageous and including genomic information increases the expected accuracy of breeding values. Furthermore, the multiple-trait combined approach was proven to be superior to the single-trait combined approach in predicting breeding values, in particular for low-heritability traits. Finally, our results advocate the use of the combined approach in forest tree progeny testing trials, specifically when a multiple-trait individual-tree mixed model is considered.

Inst. de Recursos Biológicos

Fil: Cappa, Eduardo Pablo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Recursos Biológicos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Fil: El-Kassaby, Yousry A. University of British Columbia. Faculty of Forestry. Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences; Canada

Fil: Muñoz, Facundo. Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique . Unité Amélioration, Génétique et Physiologie Forestières; Francia

Fil: Garcia, Martin Nahuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina

Fil: Villalba, Pamela Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina

Fil: Klapste, Jaroslav. University of British Columbia. Faculty of Forestry. Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences; Canada. Czech University of Life Sciences. Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences. Department of Genetics and Physiology of Forest Trees; República Checa

Fil: Marcucci Poltri, Susana Noemi. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina