Inheritance and genetic correlations of Corymbia citriodora wood property traits
Eduardo Luiz Longui, Israel Luiz de Lima1, Willyam de Lima Vieira, Maurício Ranzini, José Arimateia Rabelo Machado, Miguel Luiz Menezes Freitas, Adriano Wagner Ballarin and Alexandre Magno Sebbenn
Abstract: Physical and mechanical properties of wood, such as basic density (ρbas), volumetric shrinkage (βv), compressive strength (fc0), modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) were evaluated in near-pith (PI), intermediate (MI) and near-bark (BA) planks from a 33-year-old Corymbia citriodora progeny test, planted in Luiz Antônio, São Paulo, Brazil. These properties were assessed to support simultaneous breeding of multiple traits. All wood properties increased radially from PI to BA. Genetic variation among families was observed for ρbas at the averaged and BA radial positions. Moderate positive additive genetic correlations were found between ρbas×fc0, ρbas × MOE, ρbas × MOR, βv × fc0, βv × MOE, βv × MOR, fc0 × MOE, fc0 × MOR, and MOE × MOR. These findings indicate the potential for simultaneous genetic improvement of multiple traits, with ρbas serving as a key trait for direct selection to achieve indirect genetic gains in other properties.