Prediction of breeding values and expected genetic gains in diameter growth, wood density and spiral grain from parental selection in Picea abies (L.) KARST.

Parental breeding values were predicted for diameter growth, pilodyn penetr ation, basic density and spiral grain in Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) KA RST.). Cross- and open-pollinated progenies, tested across a range of sites , were evaluated under univariate and multivariate individual tree mixed mo dels. Best Linear Unbiased Predictions (BLUP) of breeding values were obtai ned by linking data from different mating designs, in order to evaluate par ents present as both females (open-pollinated progenies) and males (control led crosses). The BLUP analysis of diameter followed a multivariate approac h that combined correlated information across two different planting enviro nments in Denmark. For selection targeting one of the planting zones, the a nalysis took simultaneously into account the data available on different ch aracters, and the BLUP solutions of the parent effects were then applied to construct an index for genetic improvement of multiple traits. In this con text, the evaluations used pilodyn as a selection criterion, basic density as a goal trait, and spiral grain and diameter as both selection criteria a nd goal traits. The single and multiple trait evaluations served as a basis to discuss strategies and associated genetic gains from parental selection .