Abstract In forest tree breeding, genetic gain is often estimated from progeny tests at juvenile ages comparing the performance of specific families against a non-improved checklot. This study evaluated the effects of progeny test age on genetic gain estimates in Pinus taeda L. Growth, disease, and stem quality traits were assessed at ages 4, 6, 8, and 12 years across 103 trials planted in the southeastern United States. Results showed that heritability estimates generally increased with age, particularly for growth traits and stem straightness. Breeding values for height and volume increased over time, with stable rankings, while fusiform rust disease incidence (caused by the fungus Cronartium quercuum f. sp. fusiforme ) remained consistent. Stem straightness exhibited less stability. Mean age-to-age correlations of breeding values were high for height (0.81-0.95), volume (0.76-0.96), and rust (0.81-0.95) but were slightly lower for straightness (0.67-0.89). Genetic gain for volume and straightness showed a significant upward trend over ages for a large number of parents. For height, about half of the parents showed a positive change in gain, whereas for fusiform rust disease, more than half showed a decrease in gain over time. The study underscores the importance of considering measurement age in progeny tests, as it impacts genetic gain estimates and selection decisions. Findings suggest that while early measurements accelerate gain per year in breeding cycles, older measurements for growth and stem quality traits provide more reliable estimates of gain for deployment. The linear relationship between gain estimates from older ages can be used to rescale gains at younger ages.

Mohammad Nasir Shalizi

Steven E. McKeand

Trevor D. Walker

Silvae genetica/Silvae Genetica

SILVAE GENETICA 是一本国际同行评审期刊，在理论和应用森林遗传学和树木育种的所有领域拥有超过 65 年的传统和经验。它继续由 W. LANGNER 于 1951 年创立的“ZEITSCHRIFT FÜR FORSTGENETIK UND FORSTPFLANZÜCHTUNG”（森林遗传学和林木育种杂志）。

Silvae Genetica is an international peer-reviewed journal with over 65 years of tradition and experience in all areas of theoretical and applied forest genetics and tree breeding. It continues the legacy of the 'Zeitschrift für Forstgenetik und Forstpflanzenzüchtung' founded by W. Langner in 1951.

《Silvae Genetica》是一本国际同行评审期刊，拥有超过65年的历史，专注于理论和应用森林遗传学及树木育种的各个领域。该期刊延续了W. Langner于1951年创办的《Zeitschrift für Forstgenetik und Forstpflanzenzüchtung》（森林遗传学和林木育种杂志）的传统与经验。

Category	Quartile
农林科学	4
农林科学, 林学	4
农林科学, 遗传学	4

Age Affects Genetic Gain Estimates in Pinus taeda L. Progeny Tests

ivySCI AI Smartly Parses PDF, Answers Researchers' Questions, and Helps You Understand Papers in Seconds

Journal Info

Category	Quartile
GENETICS & HEREDITY	4