1.RAIZ, Laboratório de Análise Genómica (5.17),IBET/ITQBII,Oeiras,Portugal;2.DM-CEMAT,IST,Lisbon,Portugal;3.North Carolina State University,Raleigh,USA;4.RAIZ,Direc??o de Investiga??o Florestal,Aveiro,Portugal
Abstract:
In a previous study, several quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting vegetative propagation traits were detected in a hybrid
cross between Eucalyptus tereticornis and Eucalyptus globulus. The objective of this work was to confirm stable QTL linked markers (detected in different years) for propagation traits
in an independent set of the same segregating population and in two related crosses involving the original E. globulus parent. Phenotypic averages of groups of individuals carrying alternative allelic forms of the stable QTL linked markers
were statistically tested for significant differences. Adventitious rooting and petrification marker–trait associations, detected
previously in the E. tereticornis parent, were verified in an independent sample of the original progeny. In the E. globulus parent, the QTL linked marker was only verified in one related genetic background. Verification was possible only for high-effect
QTL linked markers. This study highlights the importance of sample size in QTL detection for low-heritability traits.