413
plantation (N = 99; He = 0.743) that were similar to natural stands (N = 31; He
= 0.708), as well as very low genetic differentiation between them (F ST = 0.013).
15.6 Breeding and Conservation Strategy
for Araucaria angustifolia
15.6.1 First Steps Toward Improvement of the Species in Brazil
In the beginning of the 1970s, several provenance and progeny tests were planted in
Brazil because of the productive potential of the species and the restriction on the
exploitation of its native remnants (Aguiar and Sousa 2016). The main objective
was conserving the genetic variability of the natural populations, disregarding the
concern of establishing an experimental network for improvement programs in the
short and long terms.
In 2010, taking advantage of these trials, EMBRAPA Florestas (Empresa
Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária) and its collaborators proposed an improvement program focused on the productivity and quality of wood and the production
of pine nuts. The following activities were sequentially carried out: (1) genetic characterization of the tests at the molecular level with different types of markers (microsatellites, SNPs, etc.); (2) evaluation of quantitative characters (i.e., height, DBH,
bark thickness, crown diameter, wood characteristics); (3) evaluation of physicochemical properties of wood using NIRS (near- infrared spectroscopy); (4) implementation of first- and second-generation progeny tests; and (5) cryopreservation of
embryos, propagation, and early flowering. The results showed significant differences between provenances for quantitative characters, mainly between the provenances of the southern and southeastern region. In this way, two distinct groups
were identified for improvement. According to Sousa and Aguiar (2012), the first
group corresponds to the “northern” region with populations from the states of São
Paulo and Minas Gerais, while the second group involves the “southern” region
including the populations of the states of Paraná and Santa Catarina (Valgas 2008;
Valgas et al. 2009; Sousa et al. 2009). These results have verified the tendencies
observed in the provenance progeny tests implanted in 1973 and evaluated by
Sebbenn et al. (2004). Thus, in Brazil, Sousa and Aguiar (2012) suggest using two
different groups of populations (northern and southern region) in breeding programs, so that in the future, crosses between more distant individuals could be made
aiming at the exploration of heterosis and incorporation of genes of adaptation for
specific regions. In addition, these authors argue that taxonomic identification
should be considered in the genetic improvement for this species. In this context, we
can hypothesize that Argentinean populations could be considered as part of the
southern region of Brazil, and exchange of genetic material could be an option to
increase variability in the breeding program for both countries.
15 Paraná Pine (Araucaria angustifolia): The Most Planted Native Forest Tree…
plantation (N = 99; He = 0.743) that were similar to natural stands (N = 31; He
= 0.708), as well as very low genetic differentiation between them (F ST = 0.013).
15.6 Breeding and Conservation Strategy
for Araucaria angustifolia
15.6.1 First Steps Toward Improvement of the Species in Brazil
In the beginning of the 1970s, several provenance and progeny tests were planted in
Brazil because of the productive potential of the species and the restriction on the
exploitation of its native remnants (Aguiar and Sousa 2016). The main objective
was conserving the genetic variability of the natural populations, disregarding the
concern of establishing an experimental network for improvement programs in the
short and long terms.
In 2010, taking advantage of these trials, EMBRAPA Florestas (Empresa
Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária) and its collaborators proposed an improvement program focused on the productivity and quality of wood and the production
of pine nuts. The following activities were sequentially carried out: (1) genetic characterization of the tests at the molecular level with different types of markers (microsatellites, SNPs, etc.); (2) evaluation of quantitative characters (i.e., height, DBH,
bark thickness, crown diameter, wood characteristics); (3) evaluation of physicochemical properties of wood using NIRS (near- infrared spectroscopy); (4) implementation of first- and second-generation progeny tests; and (5) cryopreservation of
embryos, propagation, and early flowering. The results showed significant differences between provenances for quantitative characters, mainly between the provenances of the southern and southeastern region. In this way, two distinct groups
were identified for improvement. According to Sousa and Aguiar (2012), the first
group corresponds to the “northern” region with populations from the states of São
Paulo and Minas Gerais, while the second group involves the “southern” region
including the populations of the states of Paraná and Santa Catarina (Valgas 2008;
Valgas et al. 2009; Sousa et al. 2009). These results have verified the tendencies
observed in the provenance progeny tests implanted in 1973 and evaluated by
Sebbenn et al. (2004). Thus, in Brazil, Sousa and Aguiar (2012) suggest using two
different groups of populations (northern and southern region) in breeding programs, so that in the future, crosses between more distant individuals could be made
aiming at the exploration of heterosis and incorporation of genes of adaptation for
specific regions. In addition, these authors argue that taxonomic identification
should be considered in the genetic improvement for this species. In this context, we
can hypothesize that Argentinean populations could be considered as part of the
southern region of Brazil, and exchange of genetic material could be an option to
increase variability in the breeding program for both countries.
15 Paraná Pine (Araucaria angustifolia): The Most Planted Native Forest Tree…