IUFRO Breeding theory and progeny testing

The CSIR has a Tree Improvement team of 13, seven of which are graduates working on genetics (6 people) and reproductive biology (2) in support of Tree Breeding. We currently have a general drive to strengthen the CSIR’s research/science base, and the Tree Improvement Research Group will probably appoint an additional geneticist shortly. The genetic interests primarily concern quantitative genetics, the interest of this IUFRO working group. We use our tree breeding programs as ‘field laboratories’ for our theoretical work.

Our current research activities in quantitative genetics include the following:

• Studying the stability of BLUP predictions, using field results to verify our modeled scenarios. (Karen Eatwell is working on her PhD on this topic.)
• Development of our Matgen BLP selection algorithm, to include additional functionality and options to accommodate instability in BL(U)P (Karen Eatwell and Prof. Pieter Geerthsen are championing this).
• Developing the models and procedures for possible hybrid selection with BLUP. This is in conjunction with our Australian partners of ANU, Forests New South Wales and CSIRO, especially involving myself and the CSIR team and Dominic Kain (ANU).
• Development of a joint algorithm, combining Matgen and DataPlus, with the Australian partners, especially Prof Pieter Geerthsen, Karen Eatwell, and Drs Chris Harwood and Emlyn Williams.
• Data mining- re-examining historical data with modern computing power and with new theoretical questions in mind, also with the Australian partners (championed by Cyndi Snedden and Dominic Kain).

We are also assessing new and different breeding strategies from time to time, and have an algorithm (G-Assist) to help us with that. We would like to develop this algorithm further. It has been pleasing to see how much Dr Tony Shelbourne has used this program in New Zealand.

We also have a long 'shopping list' of things we would like to take further, or skills we would like to grow- so watch this space for more developments!!!!!

Author: Dr Steve Verryn, CSIR, South Africa.