Genetic variation and selection of half-sib families of Pinus sibirica in the Xinlin district of the Greater Khingan Range

Abstract

To investigate the genetic variation patterns of multiple traits in Pinus sibirica half_sibling families introduced to the Greater Khingan Range, this study aims to establish a comprehensive trait evaluation system based on genetic parameters and identify fast-growing, high-quality genetic materials. The findings provide scientific support for advanced-generation seed orchard development and multi-objective genetic improvement. A total of 66 half-sibling families from a 26-year-old trial plantation of the Tomsk seed source were evaluated. Eleven traits were measured, including growth traits (tree height, diameter at breast height, volume, and crown width), morphological traits (lateral branch diameter), wood quality traits (Pilodyn value), and needle traits (fresh weight, dry weight, moisture content, needle length, and needle width). Genetic parameters were estimated using variance component decomposition. Superior families with favorable performance in both growth and wood density traits were identified using Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) weighted by genetic correlation coefficients. Additionally, individual tree selection was conducted based on growth traits using the index selection method. Significant genetic differences among families (Z ratio > 1.50) were observed for 10 traits, including growth, wood density, and needle traits. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV: 5.05–62.50%) and genetic coefficient of variation (GCV: 2.19–13.81%) exhibited substantial heterogeneity. Volume displayed the highest variation (PCV = 62.50%, GCV = 13.81%), while the highest family heritability was observed for the needle length-to-width ratio (h² = 78.30%), and the highest individual heritability was recorded for needle moisture content (H² = 95.22%). Genetic correlations analysis revealed strong positive associations between volume and tree height (r = 0.880), diameter at breast height (r = 0.968), and Pilodyn value (r = 0.508). Using the BLUP method, 13 superior families (e.g., Families 59, 11, and 51) were identified, with an average genetic gain in volume of 13.377% and a family retention rate of 70%, significantly exceeding the population mean (65.10%). Through index selection, 94 elite individual trees were selected, 52.14% of which originated from superior families. The genetic gain in individual tree volume reached 26.80%, with the within-family gain for elite individuals increasing to 28.47%. This study establishes the first multi-trait genetic evaluation model for P. sibirica and proposes a “family-individual” collaborative selection strategy. The selected superior families achieved a volume genetic gain of 3.864–32.307% and an overall genetic gain of 2.729–20.069%, while elite individual trees exhibited a volume genetic gain of 16.328–52.716%. These findings would provide critical technical support for multi-objective breeding and seed orchard development in cold-temperate coniferous species.

Graphic abstract

Keywords

Pinus sibirica / Half-sib family / Genetic parameter estimation / Selection of families and single plants

References

[1] BeckerWA. Manual of quantitative genetics. Biometrics, 1985, 41(4): 1101

[2] Chen ZS (2010) National General Standing Tree Volume Table. Accessed 24 Feb 2025, Available at: https://www.caf.ac.cn/info/1312/31722.htm

[3] DongNQ, LinHX. Contribution of phenylpropanoid metabolism to plant development and plant-environment interactions. J Integr Plant Biol, 2021, 63(1): 180-209

[4] HaiPH, DuongLA, ToanNQ, HaTTT. Genetic variation in growth, stem straightness, pilodyn and dynamic modulus of elasticity in second-generation progeny tests of Acacia mangium at three sites in Vietnam. New for, 2015, 46(4): 577-591

[5] Huang YJ (2015) Population Genetic Variation of Pinus yunnanensis Needle and Pinus tabuliformis Cone and Seed Traits. Master’s Thesis of Beijing Forestry University

[6] JiJB, SongSY, LiKL, LiuGF. Preliminary evaluation on the introduction test of Pinus siberia provenance in the eastern mountainous area of Heilongjiang Province of northeastern China. J Beijing Univ, 2023, 45(1): 70-77 in Chinese

[7] Lin YZ (2017) R and ASReml-R Statistics. China Forestry Publishing House

[8] LiuGF, YangCP, ZhaoGY. Feasibility to introduce rare tree species Pinus sibirica into China. J Appl Ecol, 2002, 13(11): 1483-1486

[9] LiuXT, ZhaoQS, YinP, LiHX, LiXS, WuLG, LiYJ, HuYB, ZhaoXY. Variation and stability analysis of growth traits of poplar clones in the seedling stage in NorthEast China. J Res, 2023, 34(4): 1107-1116

[10] LiuY, XuHW, TengWH, JiangJ, LiuGF. Full-sib progeny test and early selection in superior families of Betula platyphylla. J Beijing Univ, 2017, 39(2): 1-8

[11] MaoZJ, YuanXY, ZuYG, ZhaoGY. Study on the seed morphological characteristics and the seed coat microstructure of Pinus sibirica and p.koraiensis. Sci Silvae Sin, 2003, 39(4): 155-158 in Chinese

[12] RazaA, CharaghS, ZahidZ, MubarikMS, JavedR, SiddiquiMH, HasanuzzamanM. Jasmonic acid: a key frontier in conferring abiotic stress tolerance in plants. Plant Cell Rep, 2021, 40(8): 1513-1541

[13] ShangFQ, GaoY, MaXY, LiLQ, ZhangLM, ZhangLY, ZhangJ, FengJ. Genetic variation of half-sib families of superior Pinus koraiensis trees and selection of superior families and individuals. J Northeast Univ, 2024, 52(10): 1-6

[14] TongCF, ShiJS Statistical Analysis of Forest Genetic Models and Implementation in R, 2014 Beijing Science Press

[15] WangJH, YanW, DuanXJ, DuanYY, LiZN, ZouH. Basin ecological restoration zoning and land use simulation evaluation based on multivariate coupling model: a case study of Dianchi Lake Basin. J Univ Chin Acad Sci, 2025, 42(1): 61-73

[16] WeiR, TengWH, ZhaoGY, PengHM, MuHZ, LiuGF. Provenance trial of introduced Pinus sibirica. J Northeast Univ, 2011, 39(1): 5-6

[17] WrightJW Introduction to Forest Genetics, 1976 New York Academic Press

[18] WuW, WuHS, YangDH, SunSQ, LiSC, LinL, YangL. Analysis and evaluation of the grow traits of Pinus sibirica from different provenances. J Northwest Univ, 2024, 39(5): 126-134 in Chinese

[19] YangCP, WeiL, JiangJ, LiuGF, ZhaoGY. Analysis of genetic diversity for nineteen populations of Pinus sibirica du tour with technique of ISSR. J Northeast Univ, 2005, 33(1): 1-3 in Chinese

[20] YangT, QiuYB, ShenH, ZhengCZ, ZhangZ, WangWY, JinGQ, ZhouZC. Early evaluation of carbon content of cypress clones and families and selection of superior strains. Sci Silvae Sin, 2023, 59(9): 85-94 in Chinese

[21] ZhangJ, GuCR, LiHY, WuJ, LiuL, SunC, JiangJ, LiuGF. Variation and selection of growth and wood traits in a tetraploid half-sib family of Betula platyphylla. J Northeast Univ, 2024, 52(10): 7-14

[22] ZhangQH, YuSH, PeiXN, WangQC, LuAJ, CaoY, TigabuM, FengJ, ZhaoXY. Within- and between-population variations in seed and seedling traits of Juglans mandshurica. J Res, 2022, 33(4): 1175-1186

[23] ZhangWX, DingM, SuXH, LiAP, WangXJ, YuJJ, LiZH, HuangQJ, DingCJ. Heterosis and drought resistance assessment of Populus simonii × P. nigra F1 hybrids based on growth traits and leaf anatomical structures. J Nanjing Univ Nat Sci Ed, 2025, 49(1): 46-58 in Chinese

[24] ZhaoGY. Discussion on the distribution of Pinus sibirica in Daxing’an mountain range and the northwest limit of Pinus koraiensis in China. J Northeast for Inst, 1981, 11(2): 31-40

[25] ZhaoGY, HouAJ, YangCT. Discussion on introducing Pinus koraiensis into Daxinganling mountains. Sci Silvae Sin, 1991, 27(2): 149-153 in Chinese

[26] ZhaoGY, LiGF, HouAJ. Studies on the Pinus sibirica (loud.)Mayr in Daxinganling, China and its morphology. Sci Silvae Sin, 1989, 25(3): 252-256 in Chinese

[27] ZhaoGY, LiuWJ, ZhaoBS. Comparative morphological studies on the three kinds of Subsect Cembrae of Pinus from Daxing’an Mountains in China. J Northeast for Univ, 1998, 26(3): 2-6

[28] ZhaoGY, YangCT, ZhouCH. The necessity and possibilty of introduction Siberian pine in the great Xingan mountains. For Sci Technol, 1991, 16(1): 1-4 in Chinese

[29] ZhaoXY, WangC, LiSC, HouW, ZhangSQ, HanGJ, PanD, WangP, ChengYF, LiuGF. Genetic variation and selection of introduced provenances of Siberian Pine (Pinus sibirica) in frigid regions of the Greater Xing’an Range. NorthEast China J Res, 2014, 25(3): 549-556

[30] ZhuJL, WangJH, ZhangSG, ZhangJG, SunXM, LiangBS. Research progress of applying Pilodyn in genetic improvement of forests. J Zhejiang for Coll, 2008, 25(5): 661-665

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

The Author(s)