Summary
Six simulated progeny test field designs in combination with three within-family selection systems were tested on three loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) progeny test sites in southeastern Oklahoma and southwestern Arkansas, to compare genetic gains for the single trait, height. Residual deviations obtained by subtraction of family and plantation mean effects for each plantation were combined with simulated genetic effects with known family variance structure. The simulated genetic populations, arranged in the following progeny test field designs — large square or almost square plots, five- and ten-tree row plots, five-tree noncontiguous plots, two tree row plots, and single-tree plots — were superimposed on the residual data for each plantation. Within-family selection methods based on deviations from block means, deviations from neighborhood means and deviations from plot means were built into the model. Realized genetic gain attained by each design — selection system combination was compared with the genetic gain theoretically possible if selection accuracy were perfect, and with expected gain estimated using the general linear model. In general, average realized genetic gain compared well with expected gain. Differences between designs with large versus small plots were generally lower than expected, although the single-tree plot design always yielded highest realized gain. Realized gain was generally higher than expected when within-family selection was based on deviations from block or neighborhood means, but equal to or lower than expected when selection was based on deviations from plot means.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Barnes RD, Schweppenhauser MA (1979) Genetic control of 1,5-year-old traits in Pinus patula Schiede et Deppe and a comparison of progeny test methods. Silvae Genet 28:156–167
Conkle MT (1963) The determination of experimental plot size and shape in loblolly and slash pines. North Carolina State University, School of Forestry, Tech Rep No. 17
Cotterill PP, James W (1984) Number of offspring and plot sizes required for progeny testing. Silvae Genet 33:203–209
Evans TC, Barber JC, Squillace AE (1961) Some statistical aspects of progeny testing. Proc 6th South Conf Forest Tree Impr, pp 73–79
Falconer DS (1981) Introduction to quantitative genetics, 2nd edn. Longman, New York
Franklin EC (1971) Statistical validity of single-tree plot in forest genetics research. Silvae Genet 20:73–75
Gardner CO (1961) An evaluation of effects of mass selection and seed irradiation with thermal neutrons on yield of corn. Crop Sci 1:241–245
Lambeth CC, Gladstone WT, Stonecypher RW (1983) Statistical efficiency of row and noncontiguous family plots in genetic tests of loblolly pine. Silvae Genet 32:24–28
Libby WJ, Cockerham CC (1980) Random noncontiguous plots in interlocking field layouts. Silvae Genet 29:183–190
Loo-Dinkins JA, Tauer CG (1987) Statistical efficiency of six progeny test designs on three loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) site types. Can J For Res 17:1066–1070
Namkoong G (1979) Introduction to quantitative genetics in forestry. USDA For Serv Tech Bull No 1588
Shellbourne CJA (1969) Tree breeding methods. New Zealand For Serv Tech Paper No 55
SAS Institute Inc. (1982a) SAS user's guide: Statistics. SAS Institute Inc. Cary/NC
SAS Institute Inc. (1982b) SAS user's guide: Basics. SAS Institute Inc. Cary/NC
Wright JW (1973) Genotype-environment interaction in north central United States. For Sci 19:113–123
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Communicated by P. M. A. Tigerstedt
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Loo-Dinkins, J.A., Tauer, C.G. & Lambeth, C.C. Selection system efficiencies for computer simulated progeny test field designs in loblolly pine. Theoret. Appl. Genetics 79, 89–96 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00223792
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00223792