Strong, independent, quantitative genetic control of the timing of vegetative phase change and first flowering in eucalyptus globulus ssp. globulus (Tasmanian blue gum)
Analyses of large open-pollinated and controlled-cross field trials of Eucalyptus globulus ssp. globulus show quantitative genetic independence of the times of first flowering and the abrupt change in leaf form. The onset of each of these critical developmental events is under moderate to strong additive genetic control in this taxon, with individual narrow-sense heritabilities of 0.4-0.6 and 0. 2-0.9, respectively, and little nonadditive genetic control. This strong additive genetic control and the independence of these processes provide the genetic environment for rapid heterochronic microevolution.
Jordan
GJ
Cooperative Research Centre for Sustainable Production Forestry and School of Plant Science, University of Tasmania, GPO Box 252-55, Hobart 7001, Australia.
Potts
BM
Wiltshire
RJ