Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a warm-season, perennial grass valued as a promising candidate species for bioenergy feedstock production. Biomass yield is the most important trait for any bioenergy feedstock. This study was focused on understanding the genetics underlying biomass yield and feedstock quality traits in a “Kanlow” population. The objectives of this study were to (i) assess genetic variation (ii) estimate the narrow sense heritability, and (iii) predict genetic gain per cycle of selection for biomass yield and the components of lignocelluloses. Fifty-four Kanlow half-sib (KHS) families along with Kanlow check were planted in a randomized complete block design with three replications at two locations in Tennessee: Knoxville and Crossville. The data were recorded for two consecutive years: 2013 and 2014. The result showed a significant genetic variation for biomass yield (p < 0.05), hemicellulose concentration (p < 0.05), and lignin concentration (p < 0.01). The narrow sense heritability estimates for biomass yield was very low (0.10), indicating a possible challenge to improve this trait. A genetic gain of 16.5% is predicted for biomass yield in each cycle of selection by recombining parental clones of 10% of superior progenies.

中文翻译：

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低地柳枝“ Kanlow”生物量产量的遗传变异和预计的遗传增益

柳枝（（Panicum virgatumL.）是一种暖季多年生草，被认为是生物能源原料生产的有希望的候选物种。生物质产量是任何生物能源原料的最重要特征。这项研究的重点是了解“ Kanlow”人口中生物量产量和原料质量性状的遗传学。这项研究的目的是（i）评估遗传变异（ii）评估窄义遗传力，以及（iii）预测每个选择周期的生物量产量和木质纤维素成分的遗传增益。在田纳西州的两个地点：诺克斯维尔和克罗斯维尔，以随机完整块设计种植了54个Kanlow半同胞（KHS）家庭和Kanlow检查。数据连续两年记录：2013年和2014年。p <0.05），半纤维素浓度（p <0.05）和木质素浓度（p <0.01）。生物量产量的狭义遗传力估计值非常低（0.10），表明改善这一性状可能面临挑战。通过重组10％优良后代的亲本克隆，预测每个选择周期的生物量产量可获得16.5％的遗传增益。