Genetic Parameters And Genotype-By-Environment Interactions In Regional Progeny Tests Of Pinus Taeda L. In The Southern Usa

Genetic parameters were estimated using a five-series multienvironment trial of Pinus taeda L. in the southern USA. There were 324 half-sib families planted in five test series across 37 locations. A set of six variance/covariance matrices for the genotype-by-environment (G x E) effect for tree height and diameter were compared on the basis of model fit. In single-series analysis, extended factor analytical models provided generally superior model fit to simpler models for both traits; however, in the combined-series analysis, diameter was optimally modeled using simpler variance/covariance structures. A three-way compound term for modeling G x E interactions among and within series yielded substantial improvements in terms of model fit and standard errors of predictions. Heritability of family means ranged between 0.63 and 0.90 for both height and diameter. Average additive genetic correlations among sites were 0.70 and 0.61 for height and diameter, respectively, suggesting the presence of some G x E interaction. Pairs of sites with the lowest additive genetic correlations were located at opposite ends of the latitude range. Latent factor regression revealed a small number of parents with large factor scores that changed ranks significantly between southern and northern environments.Study Implications: Multienvironmental progeny tests of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) were established over 10 years in the southern United States to understand the genetic variation for the traits of economic importance. There was substantial genetic variation between open-pollinated families, suggesting that family selection would be efficient in the breeding program. Genotype-by-environment interactions were negligible among sites in the deployment region but became larger between sites at the extremes of the distribution. The data from these trials are invaluable in informing the breeding program about the genetic merit of selection candidates and their potential interaction with the environment. These results can be used to guide deployment decisions in the southern USA, helping landowners match germplasm with geography to achieve optimal financial returns and conservation outcomes.