Canadian Forest Service Publications

Genetic control of seed size and germination in Sitka spruce. 1992. Chaisurisri, K.; Edwards, D.G.W.; El-Kassaby, Y.A. Silvae Genetica 41(6): 348-355.

Year: 1992

Issued by: National Capital Region

Catalog ID: 10758

Language: English

Availability: PDF (request by e-mail)

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Abstract

The genetic control of seed size and germinative parameters (germination capacity, peak value, and germination value) in Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) were studied using wind-pollination seeds from 18 seed-orchard clones. Broad-sense heritabilities of seed size and germinative parameters were moderate (0.36) and high (0.74 to 0.79), respectively. It was concluded that seed pretreatment (i.e., stratification) is essential for uniform germination, and that the observed differences in seed size, although significant, were not operationally important.