Molecular dissection of the quantitative inheritance of wood property traits in loblolly pine

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Abstract
Significant progress has been made toward the molecular dissection of the quantitative inheritance of wood property traits in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) and several other forest tree species. QTL mapping experiments have been used to reveal the approximate number of genes controlling traits such as wood specific gravity and microfibril angle and the individual effects of these genes on the total phenotypic variance for the trait. These analyses help to define the scope of the challenge to identify genes controlling complex traits. Verification experiments are needed to be certain of QTLs and to determine the effects of environmental variation and differences among genetic backgrounds. Genetic marker by QTL associations might be used for within family marker-aided breeding, although this application will have limited impact on wood quality improvement in pine. New technologies are being used to identify the genes underlying QTLs. Candidate genes can be identified by a variety of approaches such as functional studies, gene mapping and gene expression profiling. Once candidate genes are identified then it is possible to discover alleles of these genes that have direct effects on the phenotype. This will be accomplished by finding SNPs in linkage disequilibrium with the causative polymorphism. Discovery of such markers will enable marker-aided selection of favorable alleles and can be used for both family and within family breeding. DNA marker technologies will complement traditional breeding approaches to improve wood quality in parallel with growth and yield traits.

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