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Early Testing Procedures Applied to Tree Improvement Programs

Step-wise testing can be used to incorporate early testing procedures into operational tree improvement programs. By rejecting poor performing families after each test, field testing efficiency can be improved. Traits suitable for early testing procedures can be 1) important juvenile traits, 2) mature traits that can be evaluated at juvenile age and 3) a juvenile trait that is correlated with an important mature trait. Complementary mating schemes and positive assortative mating can be incorporated to increase genetic gains. The use of early testing procedures in the Western Gulf Forest Tree Improvement Program's slash pine, loblolly pine and longleaf pine improvement programs is discussed.


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Author(s): William J. Lowe, J. P. van Buijtenen

Publication: Tree Improvement and Genetics - Southern Forest Tree Improvement Conference - 1989

Section: Concurrent Session 1B