Objectives:

• To provide a basis for comparison of the genetic qualities of selected trees through the performance of their progenies.
• To provide data for the calculation of general combining ability of selected trees.
• To provide information for heritability values of selected important characteristics such as height and diameter growth, resistance to pests, branching traits, form, etc.
• To provide estimates of population parameters.
• To provide information for the development of empirical multivariate formulae for the estimation of subsequent performance of family lines based on early tests.

Experimental Design:

Treatments:

One hundred and ten open pollinated families from the East Kootenay Selection Unit are being tested in a randomized block design. They were grown at the Red Rock nursery and planted as 2+1 transplants.

Layout:

• Each site contains 2-4 blocks.
• A row of 10 seedlings represents a family randomized within each block.
• The first seedling of each block is marked with a wooden stake bearing a metal tag identifying the block and the family.
• Each additional seedling is marked with a white vinyl flag on a steel wire.

History:

• 1975 plantation establishment and initial height measurements
• 1977 3-year height measurements and maintenance
• 1980 6-year height measurements and maintenance
• 1984 10-year height measurements and maintenance
• 1989 15-year height and diameter at breast height measurements and maintenance
• 1994 20-year height and diameter at breast height measurements

Reports And Publications:

Xie, C.-Y., A. D. Yanchuk, and G. Kiss. 1998.  Genetics of interior spruce in British Columbia: performance and variability of open-pollinated families in the East Kootenays. B.C. Min. For. Res. Br. Research Report 7.