Diallel crosses in Picea abies V. Can early testing predict long-term performance?

• DOI: 10.2478/sg-2024-0005
• Publication Date: 2024-04-13T11:11:38Z
• Authors: Thomas Mørtvedt S...; Tore Skrøppa; Arne Steffenrem
• Keywords: Genetic gain

Abstract Genetic variation and performance of up to 40-year-old Norway spruce ( Picea abies (L.) Karst.) families from half-diallel crosses made in natural populations where studied, the results were compared with nursery test seedlings (1-2 years seed) short-term farm-field tests at 6-10 seed. The diallel analyses revealed significant levels additive genetic variance for growth phenology traits. non-additive was generally small moderate. Strong correlations found between long-term trials but not trials. Similarly, traits strong trials, whereas did predict older age well. findings indicate that early selection adaptive based on is effective improvement field if site outside normal range deployment reproductive material.