Dataset of the paper: Direct and correlated responses to artificial selection for growth and water-use efficiency in a Mediterranean pine

Persistence of tree populations in the face of global change relies on their capacity to respond to biotic and abiotic stressors through plastic or adaptive changes. Genetic adaptation will depend on the additive genetic variation within populations and the heritability of traits related to stress tolerance. Because traits can be genetically linked, selective pressure acting on one trait may lead to correlated responses in other traits. To test direct and correlated responses to selection for drought tolerance and growth in Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.), we selected trees in a parental population for higher growth and greater water-use efficiency (WUE) and compared their offspring with that of random trees of the parental population in two contrasting common gardens. Direct responses to selection for growth and WUE, and correlated responses for growth and tolerance to abiotic and biotic stressors were estimated. We found a strong response to selection and high realized heritability for WUE, but no response to selection was found for growth. Correlated responses to selection in other life-history traits were not significant, except for concentration of chemical defences (mono and sesquiterpene) which was significantly greater in the offspring of mother trees selected for growth than in that of unselected control trees. The empirical evidence of direct responses to selection for high WUE suggests that P. halepensis have the potential to evolve in response to rising drought stress. Contrary to our expectations, the results are not conclusive of a potential negative impact of WUE and growth selection on other key life-history traits.