The adoption of genomic selection (GS) in forest tree breeding allows shortening breeding cycles, increasing selection intensity, and improving the accuracy of breeding values, which translate into increased genetic gains. Therefore, the objective of this work was to design a breeding strategy incorporating GS in the Eucalyptus globulus improvement plan of the INIA.
Clonal propagation is extensively used in the Eucalyptus pulp industry in Uruguay. Mother plants are maintained in clonal minigardens and they constitute the source of cuttings that are harvested continuously and sent to shaded greenhouses for rooting. Environmental conditions within the minigarden are optimized for plant growth, but such conditions can also promote the emergence of pests and diseases which can affect the mother plants and impair cutting production.
Eucalyptus globulus Labill. is of great interest to the pulp industry. However, the species is highly susceptible to leaf spot caused by Teratosphaeria nubilosa and has a low rooting capacity. In order to overcome these limitations, INIA has been implementing a genetic improvement program for this species and the generation of interspecific hybrids. The strategy is based on the selection of E. globulus clones with high precocity or foliage turnover, since the adult foliage is more tolerant to T. nubilosa. In addition, controlled crosses of E. globulus and E. maidenii with E.
Genomic selection is becoming an efficient and effective tool to increase genetic gain per unit time in forest tree breeding. The single-step genomic best linear unbiased prediction (ssGBLUP) method has been widely used in forest trees because it can use the complete phenotypic and pedigree data, with the genotypic information of a subset of the population.
ABSTRACT.- Gastrointestinal parasites (GIP) are one of the main causes of economic losses for sheep farmers worldwide. The need for alternative control measures comes from increasingly critical anthelmintic resistance. One alternative is to include genetic resistance to GIP in breeding programmes, by selecting for worm faecal egg count (FEC). Using this selection criterion since 1994, Uruguay has included genetic resistance to GIP in the genetic evaluation of Australian Merino and Corriedale breeds.
ABSTRACT.- Gastrointestinal parasites (GIP) are one of the main causes of economic losses for sheep farmers worldwide. The need for alternative control measures comes from increasingly critical anthelmintic resistance. One alternative is to include genetic resistance to GIP in breeding programmes, by selecting for worm faecal egg count (FEC). Using this selection criterion since 1994, Uruguay has included genetic resistance to GIP in the genetic evaluation of Australian Merino and Corriedale breeds.
