Genetically improved ponderosa pine seedlings outgrow nursery-run seedlings with and without competition -- Early findings

Journal Article · Fri Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1994 · Western Journal of Applied Forestry; (United States)

OSTI ID:7075652

McDonald, P M; Fiddler, G O ^[1]; Kitzmiller, J H ^[2]

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1. Dept. of Agriculture Forest Service, Redding, CA (United States)
2. Dept. of Agriculture Forest Service, Chico, CA (United States). Chico Tree Improvement Center

Three classes of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) seedlings (nursery-run, wind-pollinated, control-pollinated) were evaluated for stem height and diameter at the USDA Forest Service's Placerville Nursery and the Georgetown Range District in northern California. Pines in all three classes were grown with competing vegetation or maintained in a free-to-grow condition. Control-pollinated seedlings were statistically taller than nursery-run counterparts when outplanted, and after 1 and 2 growing seasons in the field with and without competition. They also had significantly larger diameters when outplanted and after 2 growing seasons in the field when free to grow. Wind-pollinated seedlings grew taller than nursery-run seedlings when free to grow. A large amount of competing vegetation [bearclover (Chamaebatia foliolosa)--29,490 plants per acre; herbaceous vegetation--11,500; hardwood sprouts--233; and whiteleaf manzanita (Arctostaphylos viscida) seedlings--100] ensure that future pine development will be tested rigorously.

• OSTI ID: 7075652
• Journal Information: Western Journal of Applied Forestry; (United States), Journal Name: Western Journal of Applied Forestry; (United States) Vol. 9:2; ISSN 0085-6095; ISSN WJAFEK
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

553000* -- Agriculture & Food Technology
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
BIOTECHNOLOGY
CONIFERS
FORESTRY
GENETIC ENGINEERING
GROWTH
PINES
PINOPHYTA
PLANT GROWTH
PLANTS
PRODUCTIVITY
SEEDLINGS
TREES