Bayesian threshold analysis of breeding values, genetic correlation and heritability of flowering intensity in Eucalyptus cladocalyx under arid conditions

Abstract

In the dry regions of Chile, prolific flowering from forest plantation is particularly advantageous for honey production, in order to supplement the erratic flowering in native plants. Eucalyptus cladocalyx is a species suitable for areas with low water availability and their flowers provide a reliable source for the production of honey. The aim of this study was to examine the heritability of flowering intensity in 49 open-pollinated families of E. cladocalyx in southern Atacama Desert, Chile, with the view to the selection for prolific flowering, but with minimal impact on precocious flowering. The Bayesian variance component estimation model was assumed using the Gibbs sampling algorithm. Threshold models were fitted to flowering data (bi-character model). Flowering intensity was found to be highly heritable (posterior mean: h 2 = 0.48; and credible interval: 0.41-0.56). The posterior mean of the genetic correlation between flowering precocity and intensity was positive (r = 0.45) and according to the credible interval (0.341-0.542), it was significantly different from zero, indicating that selection on breeding values of early flowering at age three, would have significant and positive impact on flowering intensity 5 years later (or in 8-year-old trees). These results are important for the start of a small-scale breeding program for the species in southern Atacama Desert. The genetic variability found in these breeding populations may be used for breeding purposes in regions where arid environmental conditions are limiting to the establishment of eucalypts trees.

Genetic evaluation of popcorn families using a Bayesian approach via the independence chain algorithm

“…Response to selection for both traits were estimated at two selection rates (20.12% and 10.06%), according to Cané-Retamales et al (2011). The Pearson correlation coefficient between the predicted breeding values of popping expansion and of grain yield was calculated to determine the genetic relationship between the traits, using the corr procedure of SAS (SAS Institute Inc. 2007).…”

Genomic Predictions Using Low-Density SNP Markers, Pedigree and GWAS Information: A Case Study with the Non-Model Species Eucalyptus cladocalyx

“…Flowering components are target traits in breeding programs of some species of Eucalyptus, as the flowers provide a reliable source for honey production [26,29]. In dry regions of Chile and South Africa, prolific flowering from forest plantations of E. cladocalyx and other eucalypts is particularly advantageous for the supply of honey [30].…”

Bayesian analysis of the genetic structure of a Brazilian popcorn germplasm using data from simple sequence repeats (SSR)

“…According to Latch et al (2006), most of the recent advances in clustering techniques have been made in a Bayesian statistical framework to allow simultaneous estimation of many interdependent parameters in complex models. The advantages of utilizing a Bayesian framework in the analysis of genetic experiments have been emphasized and discussed by several authors (Mora et al, 2009;Cané-Retamales et al, 2011;Li et al, 2011;Safner et al, 2011;Arriagada et al, 2012).…”