Early genetic gains verified in realized-gain trials of coastal Douglas-fir and western hemlock.
http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hre/pubs/pubs/0352.htm
Coastal Douglas-fir and western hemlock breeding programs began in the late 1960s with the selection of better trees from natural stands throughout the coastal area. Extensive breeding and testing of these selected parents was carried out to learn more about genetic diversity patterns and performance stability, and to identify which parent trees produced offspring with superior performance potential. The testing programs allowed identification of superior parents from the original selections made in natural stands (Table 1). Information on the long-term growth and yield of offspring from these parents is needed to better predict volume and value gains relative to natural-stand seed. Data are also needed to assist with the adjustment of growth models to account for genetic gains. The first series of trials to provide this information for Douglas-fir and western hemlock was planted in 1992. ...
Genetic resistance to the white pine weevil in Sitka spruce.
http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hre/pubs/pubs/0833.htm
LI>a brief account of progress in the selection and clonal screening of resistant trees; and a discussion on the practical implications of using, selecting, and breeding for genetic resistance in the short and long term. A provenance’s “resistance (tolerance)” or “susceptibility” is defined according to the number of attacks that it experiences over time, or the percent of trees attacked. These terms do not refer to any mechanism of host-insect interaction. ...
Effects of inbreeding on coastal Douglas fir growth and yield in operational plantations: a model-based approach.
http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hre/pubs/pubs/1279.htm
and self-pollination. Results indicate that inclusion of a small proportion of related clones in seed orchards will have relatively low impacts on stand yields due to low probability of related individuals mating, lower probability of producing acceptable seedlings from related matings than from unrelated matings, and a greater probability of competition-induced mortality for slower growing inbred individuals than for outcrossed trees. Thus, competition reduces the losses expected due to inbreeding depression at harvest, particularly on better sites with higher planting densities and longer rotations. Slightly higher breeding values for related clones than unrelated clones would offset or exceed the effects of inbreeding resulting from related matings. Concerns regarding the maintenance of genetic diversity are more likely to limit inclusion of related clones in orchards than inbreeding depression for final stand yield. ...
Brave new breeding zones.
http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hre/pubs/pubs/1401.htm
Brave new breeding zones. ...
