Some Applications of Modern Statistical Techniques: in Forest Tree Breeding Programs

The knowledge of genetic parameters (e.g. genetic components of variance, heritability) and effects (e.g. genetic value of an individual tree) are essential to the efficient operation of forest tree breeding programs. Many different methods have been proposed for estimating them. This book explores some aspects of the enhancement of methods for estimation of genetic parameters and effects in forest trees. The project is concerned with statistical methods for describing and analysing data from forest tree breeding program. The rapid development of the method of spatial analysis techniques and the availability of powerful computing devices have opened the opportunities for a wider use of spatial and multivariate methods of analysis in many fields of research. The aim of the project is to enhance the methods for the estimation of genetic parameters and effects in forest tree breeding programs by taking advantage of such developments. The study explores the methods currently used and proposes their enhancements by utilisation of spatial analysis and multivariate techniques. The data sets used in the study comprise simulated data sets and three data sets from forest tree plantations.