Table 2 shows the genetic correlation matrix of wood properties from the
model presented in Equations 6 and 7. For breeders interested in
reducing growth-strain the low to nil correlation between growth-strain
and diameter (and height) will provide an opportunity to simultaneously
increase growth and decrease strain. The positive correlation between
strain and stiffness indicates that some stiffness will need to be
sacrificed in order to reduce strain; however, because of the very high
stiffness values within E. bosistoana , this reduction may
not be of practical importance. The stronger correlation between strain
and acoustic velocity rather than with stiffness or density suggests the
Micro-Fibril Angle (MFA) has a larger impact on growth-strain generation
than density. While not measured, grain angle may account for some of
the variation which MFA and stiffness cannot explain.
Narrow sense heritability (for E. bosistoana at age two) presented on the diagonal, with genetic correlations between traits in the upper half of the table, calculated using the model presented above. 95% credible intervals in brackets.