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Stability of quantitative trait loci for growth and wood properties across multiple pedigrees and environments in E ucalyptus globulus
Author(s) -
Freeman Jules S.,
Potts Brad M.,
Downes Geoffrey M.,
Pilbeam David,
Thavamanikumar Saravanan,
Vaillancourt René E.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/nph.12237
Subject(s) - quantitative trait locus , pedigree chart , family based qtl mapping , biology , trait , selection (genetic algorithm) , genetic linkage , genetics , quantitative genetics , gene , gene mapping , genetic variation , chromosome , computer science , artificial intelligence , programming language
Summary Eucalypts are one of the most planted tree genera worldwide, and there is increasing interest in marker‐assisted selection for tree improvement. Implementation of marker‐assisted selection requires a knowledge of the stability of quantitative trait loci ( QTL s). This study aims to investigate the stability of QTL s for wood properties and growth across contrasting sites and multiple pedigrees of E ucalyptus globulus . Saturated linkage maps were constructed using 663 genotypes from four separate families, grown at three widely separated sites, and were employed to construct a consensus map. This map was used for QTL analysis of growth, wood density and wood chemical traits, including pulp yield. Ninety‐eight QTL s were identified across families and sites: 87 for wood properties and 11 for growth. These QTL s mapped to 38 discrete regions, some of which co‐located with candidate genes. Although 16% of QTL s were verified across different families, 24% of wood property QTL s and 38% of growth QTL s exhibited significant genotype‐by‐environment interaction. This study provides the most detailed assessment of the effect of environment and pedigree on QTL detection in the genus. Despite markedly different environments and pedigrees, many QTL s were stable, providing promising targets for the application of marker‐assisted selection.