E.P. 1123 - Adaptive Variation and Genetic Architecture in Red Alder (Alnus rubra), Black Cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa) and Balsam Poplar (Populus balsamifera) Populations

Objectives:

• To establish stool beds (cottonwood clones) for vegetative propagation of rooted cuttings.
• To prescribe preliminary guidelines for operational collection of red alder seeds and cottonwood clonal materials, based on literature review and natural variability observed during the sampling of testing materials.
• To determine the magnitude of genetic components associated with seed sources vs. among trees within sources in those seedling and steckling traits.
• To construct regression models relating seed source variation in sampling and steckling traits to physiographic and biogeoclimatic variables.
• To map genetic variation patterns, based on the regression models constructed, as a basis to guide seed transfer and selection of seed sources.
• To evaluate the stability over ages in genetic patterns observed above.
• To assess seed source differences in growth, stem quality, pest tolerance and other economic and adaptive traits.

Location:

Lower Fraser River, Vancouver Island, Squamish/Harrison River, Bute/Toba Inlet, Knight Inlet, Rivers Inlet, Bella Coola/Dean River, Nass/Skeena River, and Stikine River

Contacts:

• Cheng C. Ying

Publications:

• Adaptive Variation and Genetic Architecture in Red Alder (Alnus rubra), Black Cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa) and Balsam Poplar (Populus balsamifera) Populations
• Geographic variation of red alder (Alnus rubra) in British Columbia

Web Presentation:

• http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hre/forprod/fordyn/projects/ep1123/ep1123.htm