Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Development of an Individual-Tree Basal Area Increment Model using a Linear Mixed-Effects Approach
Published on: July 3, 2020
Provenance variations in wood traits of Larix kaempferi (Lamb.) Carr. and their relationships with growth parameters
Yalin Zhang1, Leiming Dong2, Yunhui Xie1
1State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Key Laboratory of Tree Breeding and Cultivation of State Forestry and Grassland Administration, Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, 100091, China.
Background:
Understanding genetic variations in wood traits and their relationships with dynamic growth is essential for optimizing tree breeding strategies. In this study, we investigated genetic control of 15 wood traits and the genetic associations of these traits with dynamic growth of tree height (H) and diameter at breast height (DBH) in Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi (Lamb.) Carr.), using data from 84 families from six Japanese provenances in a 22-year-old common garden experiment.
Results:
The Logistic model provided a good fit to the temporal dynamics of H and DBH. Substantial genetic variation was detected among provenances and families for most traits. Wood anatomical traits exhibited the highest coefficients of genotypic variation (up to 20.49%) and individual-tree heritabilities (0.39-0.80). Growth-related logistic parameters showed moderate heritability for DBH parameters (0.14-0.17) and low to moderate estimates for height parameters (< 0.12). Genetic correlation analyses revealed that the relative growth rate of DBH (DBH_r) was positively correlated with cellulose content and fiber width but negatively correlated with basic density. Height growth parameters displayed few significant correlations with wood traits.
Conclusions:
These findings provide new insights into the genetic control of growth and wood formation, supporting the development of multi-trait selection strategies in L. kaempferi and other conifer breeding programs, such as selecting for families with both rapid early growth and desirable wood properties for solid and pulp wood products.
Related Concept Videos
Lumber Defects
Shakes are minor fractures that run along or across the wood's annual rings, while wane is...
Lumber
Initially, the surfaces of these lumber pieces are rough, and their dimensions may vary slightly from one end to...
Introduction to Wood
The structural integrity of the wood...
Structural Properties and Dimensions of Lumber
The strength characteristics of wood are...
Meristems and Plant Growth
Softwoods and Hardwoods
