Realised and Predicted Genetic Gain in the Pinus patula Breeding Program of Smurfit Carton de Colombia

Abstract

Narrow sense individual (h²), family (h² _f) and within family (h² _w) heritability values for Pinus patula from three CAMCORE trials in Colombia were calculated for height, diameter at breast height and volume per tree at eight years of age. Heritabilities ranged from low (0,12) to high (0,89), depending on the trait. For volume per tree, the expected genetic gains were 59%, 25% and 79% for three trials measured at eight years of age. The realised genetic gains for volume per tree were 16%, 15% and 31%. These gains are for plantations at eight years of age and in similar environments to the trial sites. In an effort to expand the genetic base, further CAMCORE trials of P. patula are being planted by Smurfit Cartón-de Colombia.