Plant, Animal & Microbe Genomes X Conference

January 12-16, 2002
Town & Country Convention Center
San Diego, CA

Workshop: Forest Tree Genome Mapping
            

SEARCHING FOR GENES UNDERLYING QUANTITATIVE VARIATION IN CONIFER WOOD PROPERTIES: CANDIDATE GENES, SINGLE NUCLEOTIDE POLYMORPHISMS, AND AN ASSOCIATION STUDY IN LOBLOLLY PINE (Pinus taeda)

¹ Environmental Horticulture, University of California, Davis CA 95616 USA

² Weyerhaeuser Technical Center, Tacoma WA 98477 USA

³ Institute of Forest Genetics, USDA Forest Service, Davis CA 95616 USA

Association studies hold considerable promise in the search for genetic regions or genes implicated in complex traits. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are ideal genetic markers for such tests due to their abundance and relative ease of genotyping. We have initiated a candidate gene-based association study in a large natural population of loblolly pine to discover the genes influencing physical and chemical wood properties. Candidate genes have been identified based on biochemical roles, co-location on genetic maps with verified wood property QTLs, and microarray experiments. SNPs are mined in silico from GenBank submissions and verified by direct sequencing of 32 haploid megagametophyte DNA samples. Pyrosequencing is being used as the SNP genotyping platform in the association population. Significant differences in wood property phenotypic means among the SNP genotypic classes should identify loci in linkage disequilibrium with the underlying trait-causing gene, or possibly the gene itself, and will be of considerable interest to tree breeders. Progress to date will be presented.