Heritability and genetic correlations for volume, foxtails, and other characteristics of Caribbean pine in Puerto Rico

Abstract

Caribbean pine is an important exotic being bred throughout the tropics, but published estimates are lacking for heritability of economically important traits and the genetic correlations between them. Based on a Puerto Rican trial of 16 open-pollinated parents of var. hondurensis selected in Belize, heritabilities for a number of characteristics ranged from 0.04 to 0.53. Volume had a moderate heritability of 0.11 while bark thickness had a high heritability of 0.53. These values are similar to those for southern pines, and indicate the potential for substantial gains from selection of individuals within Puerto Rican plantations. Family variation within provenance for foxtail growth form, a subject of much speculation, was tested and found to be 0.17, a value indicating that selection against foxtails could also be effective. Phenotypic correlations between traits were weak, but additive genetic correlations appeared stronger, so selection for one characteristic must consider correlated responses for others.

Citation

Ledig, F. Thomas; Whitmore, J.L. 1981. Heritability and genetic correlations for volume, foxtails, and other characteristics of Caribbean pine in Puerto Rico. Silvae Genetica 30:86-94