Canadian Forest Service Publications
Allocation of varietal testing efforts for implementing conifer multi-varietal forestry using white spruce as a model species. 2011. Weng, Y., Park, Y.-S., Krasowski, M.J., and Mullin, T.J. Annals of Forest Science 68: 129–138.
Year: 2011
Issued by: Atlantic Forestry Centre
Catalog ID: 32730
Language: English
Availability: Order paper copy (free)
Available from the Journal's Web site. †
DOI: 10.1007/s13595-011-0014-1
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Abstract
Multi-varietal forestry (MVF) is the deployment of tested tree varieties in plantation forestry. Computer simulation using POPSIM Simulator identified optimal combination of numbers of families, varieties per family and ramets per variety (nf, nc and nr, respectively) yielding the largest genetic gain for a specific status number (NS) in a varietal test (VT) intended for MVF of conifers. Twesting 40 to 80 full-sib families and 20-30 varieties per family would be optimal for a VT. This nf interval was insensitive to the number of candidate varieties planted, ratio of genetic variances and selection restriction. It was influenced somewhat by individual narrow-sense heritability (h2), required NS and mating design. Lower h2, lower NS and designs with fewer matings per parent tree favoured the lower range of the nf interval. The optimal nr was 6. It was not markedly affected by the required NS, family size or selection restriction but was strongly influenced by h2 and the ratio of genetic variances. Larger h2 or an introduction of non-additive genetic variance allowed planting fewer ramets per variety.