Early Selection of Loblolly Pine Families Based on Seedling Shoot Elongation Characters
Seedlings of 23 open-pollinated loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) families and three checklots were grown in a greenhouse under two nitrogen ( N) levels (5 and 50 ppm) for four months. Significant family differences were detected for the number of growth cycles, summer shoot elongation, number of stem units, and total seedling height. Positive correlations were found between family mean seedling height and 12-year height performance levels in the field, and correlations increased substantially after seedlings had set the first terminal bud. Summer shoot growth, cycle numbers, and number of stem units showed stronger correlations with field performance than seedling height. The correlations were consistently higher under the low N than under the high N condition. The height growth of 12-year loblolly pine families can be more accurately predicted by measuring summer shoot elongation of seedlings grown under the mimicry low N environment.
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Author(s): Bailian Li, Steven E. McKeand, H. Lee Allen
Publication: Tree Improvement and Genetics - Southern Forest Tree Improvement Conference - 1989
Section: Concurrent Session 3A