Effects of Tree Spacing and Height Reduction on Cone Production in Two Douglas-Fir Seed Orchards

1994 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. L. Copes ◽  
Mike Bordelon

Abstract Two treatments involving tree spacings (12 and 24 ft) within rows spaced 24 ft apart and height control (topped or not topped at 20 ft) were evaluated in 17- and 22-yr-old coast Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii) seed orchards. Treatment differences for cone production were not significant because of the large tree-to-tree variation in cone production and, at one orchard, the confounding of location with treatment. Cone production in 1990 averaged slightly more than 2 bushels per tree (range 0 to 11.7 bushels). Average production per 96 linear ft of orchard row was 14.8 bushels. West. J. Appl. For. 9(1):5-7.

1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (7) ◽  
pp. 1429-1432 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yousry A. El-Kassaby ◽  
Hugh J. Barclay

The balance between allocating energy resources to reproduction or growth has considerable theoretical interest. Conflicting ecological requirements and evolutionary pressures often necessitate a trade-off in energy allocation. We obtained measurements on seed-cone production and annual ring width of 365 Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) trees from 29 open-pollinated families for 8 years. Phenotypic, genetic, and environmental correlations were computed for seed-cone production and ring width for each year. Five of the eight environmental correlations were negative (range −0.077 to −0.305), reflecting the reality of the trade-off in physiological terms. Six of the eight genetic correlations were negative (range −0.199 to −0.776), indicating that a trade-off exists at the genetic level between energy allocation to reproduction and to somatic growth. These findings agree with the current theory of life-history evolution. Key words: Pseudotsuga menziesii, cone production, annual ring width, genetic correlation.


1992 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 73-77
Author(s):  
Ingemar Karlsson ◽  
Jack H. Woods

Abstract Scions of coastal Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) were grafted on rootstock from coastal, northern interior and southern interior origin. Data on ramet size, cone production, and graft compatibility were collected. Twelve years after grafting significant differences for most crown and stem traits were found among the rootstock sources, with coastal rootstock resulting in the fastest scion growth. Northern interior rootstock sources produced larger grafts than southern interior rootstock. Significant graft union appearance and cone production differences were not detected, but coastal sources consistently had higher graft compatibility and healthier unions. It is concluded that, for coastal Douglas-fir, the use of a vigorous coastal rootstock source that promotes fast growth in the scion, and has high graft compatibility potential, is the most desirable for coastal locations. This will result in fewer losses due to graft incompatibility, faster crown development, more options for crown management and increased cone production potential. West. J. Appl. For. 7(3):73-77.


Author(s):  
Birte Pakull ◽  
Pascal Eusemann ◽  
Janine Wojacki ◽  
Diana Ahnert ◽  
Heike Liesebach

AbstractIn Germany, Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii Franco) is seen as a valuable species for future cultivation in times of climate change. Local seed production in seed stands and seed orchards may secure that local adaptation is transferred to the next generation, but small population sizes could lower genetic diversity and thus future adaptability. Here we analyse the transfer of genetic diversity from parent to offspring generation in four older German seed orchards. We detected low pollen contamination rates due to high levels of spatial isolation. Even with a relatively low number of 40 clones, seed orchard design with randomized and repeated planting of clones led to low selfing rates, and despite uneven parental contributions, the number of successful parents and the level of genetic intermixture were high enough to allow the transfer of an adequate part of the genetic diversity to the next generation. Larger numbers, however, might be needed to reliably conserve the entire genetic diversity over succeeding generations. Conclusions on the establishment of future seed orchards and regarding areas requiring further research are drawn at the end of the paper.


1979 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
George S. Puritch ◽  
Eleanor E. McMullan ◽  
Michael D. Meagher ◽  
Clarence S. Simmons

Gibberellic acid (GA) and naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) were applied alone and in combination to both girdled and nongirdled branches of Douglas-fir in four seed orchards (two containing seedlings and two containing grafts). GA significantly increased seed-cone buds and cones and caused a nonsignificant increase in pollen-cone buds. Cone production was not significantly affected by girdling or the application of NAA. Trees treated with the combination of GA + NAA responded similarly to those treated with GA alone. Cone production response to GA varied according to the orchard locations, with better response in the normally more productive orchards. The percentage of trees flowering was increased by GA. Hormone treatments had no effect on seeds per cone but they significantly reduced filled seed per cone. Owing to increased cone number, however, the GA treatments greatly increased the yield of viable seed. NAA increased the percentage of seed germinating and the rate of seed germination, while GA had no effect.


1959 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 192-202
Author(s):  
A. L. Orr-Ewing ◽  
D. C. Prideaux

Grafting is a valuable technique for foresters interested in improving seed-quality as the inherent characteristics of selected trees can be preserved indefinitely for breeding and seed orchards. Dormant scions of the Douglas fir can be collected in the winter and early spring by either climbing or shooting off branches with a rifle. They are stored until the rootstock is in an actively growing condition and are then either grafted in a greenhouse or outside. The cleft and crown veneer graft methods have been found the most suitable for this species. The possibilities of early cone production after grafting appear promising.


1996 ◽  
Vol 128 (6) ◽  
pp. 1065-1076 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzie E. Blatt ◽  
John H. Borden

AbstractLeptoglossus occidentalis Heidemann (Hemiptera: Coreidae) is considered to be an important cone and seed pest in seed orchards in British Columbia; however, no impact studies have been done in Canada. Surveys to determine the distribution of L. occidentalis were conducted over a 3-year period in three coastal seed orchards of Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco, and over a 2-year period in two seed orchards of lodgepole pine, Pinus contorta var. latifolia Engelmann. Leptoglossus occidentalis was found to distribute itself in patches, coinciding with a clonal preference. Seed losses were assessed for 2 years in the coastal Douglas-fir orchards and for 1 year in one lodgepole pine orchard. The percentages of partially filled seed that could have been caused by feeding of L. occidentalis or by a number of other factors were < 5% in coastal Douglas-fir for both 1992 and 1993 and ~14% in lodgepole pine in 1993. Apparently because populations of L. occidentalis were low, there was no correlation between the percentage of partially filled seed and number of insects per tree. Except in unusual circumstances, management measures in Canada are judged not to be necessary as populations of L. occidentalis are consistently below the calculated threshold levels required to cause ≥5% loss in seed production.


2005 ◽  
Vol 54 (1-6) ◽  
pp. 218-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. K. Hansen ◽  
H. Wellendorf ◽  
E. D. Kjær

Abstract An evaluation of a seedling seed orchard in Denmark of Coastal Douglas-fir showed variation between open pollinated families in their susceptibility to windthrow, height and diameter growth, stem straightness, number of forks at age 10 and bud burst at age 9. Individual narrow-sense heritability was 0.63 for bud burst, 0.40 for height and diameter, respectively, 0.48 for stem straightness, 0.20 for number of forks and 0.17 for windthrow susceptibility. Fast growing families were characterised by late bud burst, and poorer stem straightness. The approach of using seedling seed orchards in Denmark is discussed in relation to genetic gains, genetic diversity and risk of inbreeding. Predicted gains concerning a reduction of windthrow susceptibility were poor due to low genetic variability. In multi-trait selection scenarios aiming to improve growth, stem straightness and reducing windthrow susceptibility, the approach of using seedling seed orchards demonstrated that it might be possible to obtain gains in height above 5% combined with significant improvements of stem straightness while retaining an effective population size above 50.


2007 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marilyn L Cherry ◽  
Thimmappa S Anekonda ◽  
Michael J Albrecht ◽  
Glenn T Howe

We studied flower stimulation in two young miniaturized seed orchards of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco var. menziesii) in Oregon. In experiment 1, female and male flowering were substantially enhanced when the trees were treated 2–4 years after grafting with stem girdling plus stem-injected gibberellin A4/7 (GA 0.25× rate = ProCone(tm) at 0.084 µL·mm–2 scion cross-sectional area). Comparable results were obtained the following year when the same trees were retreated with 1× GA. In experiment 2, female and male flowering were significantly enhanced when 3-year-old trees were treated with girdling plus either 1× GA, 1.5× GA, or 2× GA. Some treatments had higher mortality and less height growth than the control in the year of cone development. We recommend using a combination of girdling and 1× GA biennially once trees are large enough to produce large per-hectare seed yields and withstand the stress of flower stimulation. At the study orchards, this seems to be about 5 years postgrafting, just before the sixth growing season. Yields were estimated to be 272 963 seeds·ha–1 at age 4 years, or 143 095 seeds·ha–1 annually with stimulation occurring every 2 years. Yields should increase as orchards age, with full stocking, and with higher planting densities.


1985 ◽  
Vol 117 (10) ◽  
pp. 1223-1230 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.D. Schowalter ◽  
M.I. Haverty ◽  
T.W. Koerber

AbstractDouglas-fir cones were collected from 17 seed orchards in California, Oregon, and Washington in the fall of 1983. Cones were completely dissected and seed losses ascribed to the Douglas-fir cone gall midge (Contarinia oregonensis (Foote)), the Douglas-fir seed chalcid (Megastigmus spermotrophus (Wachtl)), the Douglas-fir cone moth (Barbara colfaxiana (Kearfott)), and the fir coneworm (Dioryctria abietivorella (Groté)). There appear to be great differences between orchards, but overall C. oregonensis and M. spermotrophus collectively destroyed approximately 70% of the filled seed. Physiographic province significantly (P<0.05) explained variation in damage by all insect species between seed orchards. In general, damage by all species increased from northern provinces to southern mountainous provinces. Damage by C. oregonensis and B. colfaxiana appeared to be related to land use or management factors, as well.


Plant Disease ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 97 (6) ◽  
pp. 744-748 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerry E. Weiland ◽  
Bryan R. Beck ◽  
Anne Davis

Pythium species are common soilborne oomycetes that occur in forest nursery soils throughout the United States. Numerous species have been described from nursery soils. However, with the exception of P. aphanidermatum, P. irregulare, P. sylvaticum, and P. ultimum, little is known about the potential for other Pythium species found in nursery soils to cause damping-off of tree seedlings. A greenhouse study was conducted to evaluate the pathogenicity and virulence of 44 Pythium isolates representing 16 species that were originally recovered from soil at three forest nurseries in Washington and Oregon. Seeds of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) were planted into soil infested with each of the isolates. Seedling survival, the number of surviving seedlings with necrotic root lesions, and taproot length were evaluated 4 weeks later. Responses of Douglas-fir to inoculation varied significantly depending on Pythium species and isolate. Eight species (P. dissotocum, P. irregulare, P. aff. macrosporum, P. mamillatum, P. aff. oopapillum, P. rostratifingens, P. sylvaticum, and P. ultimum var. ultimum) significantly reduced the number of surviving seedlings compared to the noninoculated treatment. However, all Pythium species caused a greater percentage of seedlings to develop root lesions (total mean 40%) than was observed from noninoculated seedlings (17%). Taproot length varied little among Pythium treatments and was not a useful character for evaluating pathogenicity. Results confirm the ability of P. irregulare, P. mamillatum, and P. ultimum var. ultimum to cause damping-off of Douglas-fir seedlings, and are indicative that other species such as P. dissotocum, P. aff. macrosporum, P. aff. oopapillum, P. rostratifingens, and P. sylvaticum may also be responsible for seedling loss.


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