Clonal Variation in Rooting Ability of Virginia Pine

Twenty-four cuttings were taken from each of 25 clones of three-year-old Virginia pines (Pinus virginiana, Mill.) previously selected for superior qualities as Christmas trees. The cuttings were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications and six cuttings per replication. All cuttings were treated with Hare's rooting powder and placed in a mist greenhouse at International Forest Seed Company (IFSCO) in Odenville, AL on March 6, 1990. After 5 months, all cuttings were moved to Alabama A&M University, where they were evaluated. Rooting percentages ranged from 0 to 79 percent, with highly significant differences among the 25 clones. The overall rooting percentage was 40 percent, with nine clones having better than 50% rooting. To test the effect of a different cutting date, cuttings from 25 clones (10 clones repeated from the first experiment and 15 new clones) were taken on 3 August, 1990 and placed in the greenhouse at IFSCO. After 4 months, the cuttings were evaluated. Results of this experiment were then compared to the first experiment. The final objective is to select those clones that maximize both quality for Christmas tree production and rooting success. Selections will be used for the establishment of a new cutting orchard.

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Author(s): G. F. Brown, Jr., Q. Holifield, J. L. Ford-Logan, G. Sam Foster

Publication: Tree Improvement and Genetics - Southern Forest Tree Improvement Conference - 1991

Section: General Session: Breeding and Propagation