Stiffness of Douglas-fir lumber: effects of wood properties and genetics

2011 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 1160-1173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vikas Vikram ◽  
Marilyn L. Cherry ◽  
David Briggs ◽  
Daniel W. Cress ◽  
Robert Evans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stress Wave ◽  
Transverse Vibration ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Microfibril Angle ◽  
Wood Properties ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Bending Stiffness ◽  
Wood Products ◽  
Strong Positive Correlation

Because stiffness (modulus of elasticity (MOE)) is important for structural wood products, breeders and silviculturists seek to efficiently measure and improve this trait. We studied MOE in a 25-year-old progeny test of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) using field-based tools (ST300 and HM200) to measure stress wave MOE of standing trees and logs. We measured density, static bending MOE, and transverse vibration MOE on 2 × 4s, and density, SilviScan MOE, and SilviScan microfibril angle on small clearwood samples. Bending MOE had moderate to strong phenotypic and genetic correlations with stress wave MOE of trees and logs, transverse vibration MOE of 2 × 4s, and the densities of 2 × 4s and basal wood discs but was weakly correlated with the numbers and sizes of knots. The best lumber grade had the highest bending stiffness and smallest edge knots. Bending stiffness had a strong positive correlation with the density of small clearwood samples and a moderate negative correlation with microfibril angle. Compared with microfibril angle and edge knots, path analyses indicated that density had the strongest direct effect on bending MOE. We recommend that breeders measure and select for stress wave velocity to improve bending stiffness in Douglas-fir. Genetic gains can be increased by including wood density, but genetic selection for fewer or smaller knots will be ineffective.

Direct Effects of Wood Characteristics on Pulp and Handsheet Properties of Eucalyptus globulus

Holzforschung ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 244-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Wimmer ◽  
G.M. Downes ◽  
R. Evans ◽  
G. Rasmussen ◽  
J. French
Keyword(s):  
Wood Density ◽  
Eucalyptus Globulus ◽  
Strong Predictor ◽  
Fibre Length ◽  
Microfibril Angle ◽  
Wood Properties ◽  
Bending Stiffness ◽  
Pulp Yield ◽  
Paper Properties ◽  
Handsheet Properties

Summary Fibre length, microfibril angle and wood density were measured in eight-year-old Eucalyptus globulus clones planted on three different sites. Samples were chipped and pulped, and the pulps beaten prior to preparation of 60g/m2 handsheets. Eleven physical handsheet properties, together with pulp freeness, were measured using standard methods. Direct relationships between wood properties and pulp/paper properties were studied using path analysis. Fibre length had a strong, direct effect on tear index, bending stiffness, freeness, pulp yield and active alkali consumption. Wood density was a strong predictor of most handsheet properties: high density woods produced bulkier, more porous sheets with higher bending stiffness, while lower density woods produced smoother, denser sheets with higher tensile strength.The effect of microfibril angle was small and more evident in handsheets made from beaten pulp.

scholarly journals Genetic Variation of Physical and Chemical Wood Properties of Eucalyptus globulus

2005 ◽  
Vol 54 (1-6) ◽  
pp. 160-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. A. Apiolaza ◽  
C. A. Raymond ◽  
B. J. Yeo
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Eucalyptus Globulus ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Fibre Length ◽  
Microfibril Angle ◽  
Basic Density ◽  
Wood Properties ◽  
Pulp Yield ◽  
Cellulose Content ◽  
Wood Processing

Abstract This study considered the degree of genetic variation for diameter (DBH), basic density (BD), predicted pulp yield (PPY), fibre length (FL), microfibril angle (MFA) and cellulose content (CC) amongst eight subraces of Eucalyptus globulus growing in a field trial in NW Tasmania. There were significant subrace effects for BD, FL and CC. This variation affected the relative profitability of the subraces for pulp production. On average, the most profitable subraces (on NPV/ha over the base population mean) were Strzelecki Ranges ($862.04), Western Otways ($657.80) and Strzelecki Foothills ($576.81). The genetic control (heritability) of variation in DBH, FL and MFA was moderate (0.15 < h2< 0.27), while control for BD, PPY and CC was high (h2> 0.40). Genetic correlations between growth and wood properties were not statistically significant, except for DBHMFA (-0.86). Most genetic correlations amongst wood properties were outside the parametric space (< -1 or >1), but there were significant correlations between BDMFA (-0.70) and PPY-CC (0.82). The empirical response to selection on an index based on a pulp wood objective (which included volume and basic density) resulted in a gain of 4.3% for DBH, 7.9% for BD and marginal changes for all other traits, with a net impact in profit of $1,270/ha. However, future profit calculations will need to consider the effect of FL, MFA and CC on the economics of wood processing to fully evaluate the economic impact of breeding.

Inheritance of density, microfibril angle, and modulus of elasticity in juvenile wood of Pinus radiata at two locations in Australia

2007 ◽  
Vol 37 (11) ◽  
pp. 2164-2174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian S. Baltunis ◽  
Harry X. Wu ◽  
Mike B. Powell
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Correlation ◽  
Pinus Radiata ◽  
Modulus Of Elasticity ◽  
Juvenile Wood ◽  
Wood Quality ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Microfibril Angle ◽  
Wood Properties ◽  
Quality Traits ◽  
Selection For

A total of 1640 increment cores from 343 radiata pine ( Pinus radiata D. Don) families were sampled at two second-generation progeny trials, aged 6 and 7 years, for a detailed genetic study of juvenile wood quality traits. Density, microfibril angle (MFA), and modulus of elasticity (MOE) were determined from pith to bark using SilviScan® technology. Heritability was greatest for area-weighted density at the two sites (0.63 and 0.77, respectively), and the lowest for growth traits (<0.23). Genotype by environment interaction was low for all three wood quality traits. A positive genetic correlation between density and MOE (0.43), and a highly negative, and therefore, favourable genetic correlation between MFA and MOE (–0.92) were observed, implying that improvement of multiple juvenile wood properties is possible. The genetic correlations between whole-core wood quality traits and individual-ring measurements suggest that improvement for juvenile wood properties across the entire profile of the corewood including the innermost rings can be achieved. However, density, MFA, and MOE had unfavourable genetic correlations with diameter growth suggesting that selection for increased density and MOE, and reduced MFA in the absence of selection for growth will result in a genetic loss for growth rate.

scholarly journals Genetic analysis of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) solid-wood quality traits

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (10) ◽  
pp. 1303-1313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haleh Hayatgheibi ◽  
Anders Fries ◽  
Johan Kroon ◽  
Harry X. Wu
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Dynamic Stiffness ◽  
Wood Quality ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Microfibril Angle ◽  
Ring Width ◽  
Wood Properties ◽  
Solid Wood ◽  
Early Selection

Potential improvement of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.) solid-wood properties was examined by estimating age trends of inheritance, age–age genetic correlations, and the efficiency of early selection using 823 increment cores sampled from 207 half-sib families at two independent progeny trials, aged 34–35 years, located in northern Sweden. High-resolution radial variation of annual ring width, wood density, microfibril angle (MFA), and modulus of elasticity (clearwood stiffness; MOES) was measured using SilviScan. The dynamic stiffness (MOEtof) of standing trees was also obtained using Hitman ST300. Heritabilities ranged from 0.10 to 0.64 for growth and earlywood, transition-wood, and latewood proportions, from 0.29 to 0.77 for density traits, and from 0.13 to 0.33 for MFA and stiffness traits. Genetic correlations between early age and the reference age (26 years) suggested that early selection is efficient at age 4 years for MFA and between ages 5 to 8 years for density and MOES. Unfavorable diameter–stiffness genetic correlations and correlated responses indicate that breeding for a 1% increase in diameter would confer 5.5% and 2.3% decreases in lodgepole pine MOES and MOEtof, respectively. Index selection with appropriate economical weights for growth and wood stiffness is highly recommended for selective breeding.

scholarly journals Genetic variation of microfibril angle and its relationship with solid wood and pulpwood traits in two progeny trials of Eucalyptus nitens in Tasmania

Holzforschung ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel F. Rocha-Sepúlveda ◽  
Dean Williams ◽  
Mario Vega ◽  
Peter A. Harrison ◽  
René E. Vaillancourt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Microfibril Angle ◽  
Basic Density ◽  
Genotype By Environment Interaction ◽  
Solid Wood ◽  
Wood Products ◽  
Pulp Yield ◽  
Environment Interaction ◽  
Eucalyptus Nitens ◽  
Genotype By Environment

Abstract Microfibril angle (MFA) is a key biological trait contributing to wood stiffness, which is a common breeding objective for solid wood products in many tree species. To explore its genetic architecture, area-weighted MFA was measured in two Eucalyptus nitens progeny trials in Tasmania, Australia, with common open-pollinated families. Radial strips were extracted from 823 trees in 131 families and MFA assessed using SilviScan-2®. Heritability, genotype-by-environment interaction and inter-trait genetic correlations were evaluated to examine the genetic variability and stability of MFA and its relationships with other solid wood and pulpwood selection traits. Significant family variation was found for MFA in both trials. There was no significant genotype-by-environment interaction and the across-site narrow-sense heritability was 0.27. MFA was genetically independent of basic density, growth, and tree form. However, MFA was strongly and favourable genetically correlated to acoustic wave velocity in standing trees, modulus of elasticity and kraft pulp yield (KPY). The present study has shown that genetic improvement of E. nitens for pulpwood selection traits is unlikely to have adversely affected MFA, and thus timber stiffness. Rather these results suggest the possibility that selection for increased KPY may have indirectly improved MFA favourably for solid wood products.

Genetic selection for cold hardiness in coastal Douglas-fir seedlings and saplings

2000 ◽  
Vol 30 (11) ◽  
pp. 1799-1807 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory A O'Neill ◽  
Sally N Aitken ◽  
W Thomas Adams
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Control ◽  
Cold Hardiness ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Direct Selection ◽  
Bud Burst ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Breeding Populations ◽  
Bud Set

Genetic control of cold hardiness in two-year-old seedlings was compared with that in 7-year-old saplings of 40 open-pollinated families in each of two breeding populations (Coast and Cascade) of coastal Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) from western Oregon. In addition, the efficacy of bud phenology traits as predictors of cold hardiness at the two stages was explored. Fall and spring cold hardiness were assessed using artificial freeze testing. Similar genetic control of cold hardiness in seedlings and saplings is suggested by strong type-B genetic correlations (rB) between the two ages for fall and spring cold injury traits (rB[Formula: see text] 0.78) and by similar trends in individual tree heritability estimates (hi2), e.g., hi2was greater in spring (h–i2= 0.73) than in fall (h–i2= 0.36) and greater in the Coast population (h–i2= 0.69) than in the Cascade population (h–i2= 0.40) at both ages. Strong responses to direct selection are expected for spring cold hardiness at both ages and for fall cold hardiness in seedlings, even under mild selection intensities. Similar heritabilities in seedlings and saplings, and strong genetic correlations between ages for cold-hardiness traits, ensure that selection at one age will produce similar gains at the other age. Type-A genetic correlations (rA) between fall and spring cold hardiness were near zero in the Cascade population (rA= 0.08 and -0.14 at ages 2 and 7, respectively) but were moderate and negative in the Coast population (rA= -0.54 and -0.36, respectively). Bud-burst timing appears to be a suitable surrogate to artificial freeze testing for assessing spring cold hardiness in both seedlings and saplings, as is bud set timing for assessing fall cold hardiness in seedlings, but bud set timing is a poor predictor of fall cold hardiness in saplings.

scholarly journals Prediction of meat quality traits in the abattoir using portable near-infrared spectrometers: heritability of predicted traits and genetic correlations with laboratory-measured traits

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Savoia ◽  
Andrea Albera ◽  
Alberto Brugiapaglia ◽  
Liliana Di Stasio ◽  
Alessio Cecchinato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Meat Quality ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
External Validation ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Quality Traits ◽  
Eye Muscle ◽  
Meat Quality Traits ◽  
Color Traits ◽  
Selection Of

Abstract Background The possibility of assessing meat quality traits over the meat chain is strongly limited, especially in the context of selective breeding which requires a large number of phenotypes. The main objective of this study was to investigate the suitability of portable infrared spectrometers for phenotyping beef cattle aiming to genetically improving the quality of their meat. Meat quality traits (pH, color, water holding capacity, tenderness) were appraised on rib eye muscle samples of 1,327 Piemontese young bulls using traditional (i.e., reference/gold standard) laboratory analyses; the same traits were also predicted from spectra acquired at the abattoir on the intact muscle surface of the same animals 1 d after slaughtering. Genetic parameters were estimated for both laboratory measures of meat quality traits and their spectra-based predictions. Results The prediction performances of the calibration equations, assessed through external validation, were satisfactory for color traits (R2 from 0.52 to 0.80), low for pH and purge losses (R2 around 0.30), and very poor for cooking losses and tenderness (R2 below 0.20). Except for lightness and purge losses, the heritability estimates of most of the predicted traits were lower than those of the measured traits while the genetic correlations between measured and predicted traits were high (average value 0.81). Conclusions Results showed that NIRS predictions of color traits, pH, and purge losses could be used as indicator traits for the indirect genetic selection of the reference quality phenotypes. Results for cooking losses were less effective, while the NIR predictions of tenderness were affected by a relatively high uncertainty of estimate. Overall, genetic selection of some meat quality traits, whose direct phenotyping is difficult, can benefit of the application of infrared spectrometers technology.

scholarly journals Hybrid Approach for Wood Modification: Characterization and Evaluation of Weathering Resistance of Coatings on Acetylated Wood

Coatings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 658
Author(s):  
Anna Sandak ◽  
Edit Földvári-Nagy ◽  
Faksawat Poohphajai ◽  
Rene Herrera Diaz ◽  
Oihana Gordobil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Service Life ◽  
Hybrid Approach ◽  
Wood Properties ◽  
Wood Products ◽  
Superior Performance ◽  
Surface Erosion ◽  
Coating Film ◽  
Chemical Treatments ◽  
Cellular Wall ◽  
Bulk Substrate

Wood, as a biological material, is sensitive to environmental conditions and microorganisms; therefore, wood products require protective measures to extend their service life in outdoor applications. Several modification processes are available for the improvement of wood properties, including commercially available solutions. Among the chemical treatments, acetylation by acetic anhydride is one of the most effective methods to induce chemical changes in the constitutive polymers at the cellular wall level. Acetylation reduces wood shrinkage-swelling, increases its durability against biotic agents, improves UV resistance and reduces surface erosion. However, even if the expected service life for external cladding of acetylated wood is estimated to be 60 years, the aesthetics change rapidly during the first years of exposure. Hybrid, or fusion, modification includes processes where the positive effect of a single treatment can be multiplied by merging with additional follow-up modifications. This report presents results of the performance tests of wood samples that, besides the modification by means of acetylation, were additionally protected with seven commercially available coatings. Natural weathering was conducted in Northern Italy for 15 months. Samples were characterized with numerous instruments by measuring samples collected from the stand every three months. Superior performance was observed on samples that merged both treatments. It is due to the combined effect of the wood acetylation and surface coating. Limited shrinkage/swelling of the bulk substrate due to chemical treatment substantially reduced stresses of the coating film. Hybrid process, compared to sole acetylation of wood, assured superior visual performance of the wood surface by preserving its original appearance.

scholarly journals High Heritabilities for Antibiotic Usage Show Potential to Breed for Disease Resistance in Finishing Pigs

Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 829
Author(s):  
Wim Gorssen ◽  
Dominiek Maes ◽  
Roel Meyermans ◽  
Jürgen Depuydt ◽  
Steven Janssens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Antibiotic Usage ◽  
Finishing Pigs ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Parenteral Antibiotic ◽  
On Farm

The use of antimicrobials in animal production is under public debate, mainly due to the risk of transfer of resistance to pathogenic bacteria in humans. Therefore, measures have been taken during the last few decades to reduce antibiotic usage in animals, for instance, by national monitoring programmes and by improving animal health management. Although some initiatives exist in molecular genetic selection, quantitative genetic selection of animals towards decreased antibiotic usage is an underexplored area to reduce antibiotic usage. However, this strategy could yield cumulative effects. In this study, we derived new phenotypes from on-farm parenteral antibiotic records from commercially grown crossbred finishing pigs used in the progeny test of Piétrain terminal sires to investigate the heritability of antibiotics usage. Parenteral antibiotic records, production parameters and pedigree records of 2238 full-sib pens from two experimental farms in Belgium between 2014 and 2020 were analysed. Heritability estimates were moderate (18–44%) for phenotypes derived from all antibiotic treatments, and low (1–15%) for phenotypes derived from treatments against respiratory diseases only. Moreover, genetic correlations between these new phenotypes and mortality were low to moderate (0.08–0.60) and no strong adverse genetic correlations with production traits were found. The high heritabilities and favourable genetic correlations suggest these new phenotypes, derived from on-farm antibiotics records, to be promising for inclusion in future pig breeding programs to breed for a decrease in antibiotics usage.

scholarly journals Corrigendum to: Consequences of genetic selection for environmental impact traits on economically important traits in dairy cows

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (10) ◽  
pp. 1966
Author(s):  
Purna Kandel ◽  
Sylvie Vanderick ◽  
Marie-Laure Vanrobays ◽  
Hélène Soyeurt ◽  
Nicolas Gengler
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Selection Response ◽  
Direct Selection ◽  
Correlated Response ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Ch4 Emissions ◽  
Natural Logarithm

Methane (CH4) emission is an important environmental trait in dairy cows. Breeding aiming to mitigate CH4 emissions require the estimation of genetic correlations with other economically important traits and the prediction of their selection response. In this study, test-day CH4 emissions were predicted from milk mid-infrared spectra of Holstein cows. Predicted CH4 emissions (PME) and log-transformed CH4 intensity (LMI) computed as the natural logarithm of PME divided by milk yield (MY). Genetic correlations of PME and LMI with traits used currently were approximated from correlations between estimated breeding values of sires. Values were for PME with MY 0.06, fat yield (FY) 0.09, protein yield (PY) 0.13, fertility 0.17; body condition score (BCS) –0.02; udder health (UDH) 0.22; and longevity 0.22. As expected by its definition, values were negative for LMI with production traits (MY –0.61; FY –0.15 and PY –0.40) and positive with fertility (0.36); BCS (0.20); UDH (0.08) and longevity (0.06). The genetic correlations of 33 type traits with PME ranged from –0.12 to 0.25 and for LMI ranged from –0.22 to 0.18. Without selecting PME and LMI (status quo) the relative genetic change through correlated responses of other traits were in PME by 2% and in LMI by –15%, but only due to the correlated response to MY. Results showed for PME that direct selection of this environmental trait would reduce milk carbon foot print but would also affect negatively fertility. Therefore, more profound changes in current indexes will be required than simply adding environmental traits as these traits also affect the expected progress of other traits.

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