Qualified testing of single-locus codominant inheritance using single tree progenies.

Abstract

In forest trees, classical techniques of studying modes of inheritance are usually not feasible due to the difficulty of performing controlled crosses. The limited information on inheritance extractable from readily available data, such as the large progenies collectable from single seed trees, must be compensated by the design of appropriately parameterized models. For this purpose, a system analytic approach is used to develop a new inferential framework for testing a single-locus codominant mode of inheritance of genetic traits using the inferred genotypes within progenies of single trees of inferred heterozygous genotype. Model assumptions are random gametic fusion between the local gamete pools and absence of postzygotic selection; ovule segregation distortion is allowed. The method yields estimates of the allele frequencies in both local gamete pools. Since tests of modes of inheritance must be tests of models rather than of parameters, the utility of the classical statistical testing procedures is limited, particularly concerning the qualification of a sampling method to attain a preassigned level of precision. Consistent application of this principle makes it possible to design qualified sampling methods prior to the actual experiment as well as to specify qualification levels for tests of completed experiments.