Heritability of height growth in 10-year-old Sitka spruce

1985 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 729-734 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis C. Yeh ◽  
Sven Rasmussen
Keyword(s):  
Sitka Spruce ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Picea Sitchensis ◽  
Breeding Program ◽  
Progeny Test ◽  
Northwest Coast ◽  
Phenotypic Variance ◽  
Family Selection ◽  
Sources Of Variation

Ten-year height growth for Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr. was studied in a progeny test of 42 wind-pollinated families from seven stands on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island. Although stand and family-within-stand effects were significant sources of variation, 79% of the phenotypic variance in 10-year height was associated with differences among trees within family plots. Estimates of heritability ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text]) indicate that a combination of stand, family-within-stand, and progeny-within-family selection will be effective for a long-term breeding program to increase tree heights in Sitka spruce.Key words: Picea, heritability, quantitative.

scholarly journals Variance component analysis of body mass in a wild population of deer (Odocoileus virginianus): results from two decades of research

2013 ◽  
Vol 40 (7) ◽  
pp. 588 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen L. Webb ◽  
Kenneth L. Gee ◽  
Randy W. DeYoung ◽  
Seth M. Harju
Keyword(s):  
Odocoileus Virginianus ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Environmental Effects ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Phenotypic Variance ◽  
Components Of Variance ◽  
Habitat Improvement ◽  
Capture Recapture ◽  
Sources Of Variation

Context Long-term studies of large, vertebrate mammals using capture–recapture data are scarce, even though long-term ecological studies are requisite to understanding quantitative genetics and evolutionary processes that can be applied as part of management programs. Aims Objectives were to (1) partition components of variation in body mass to understand the differential effects of environmental variation on the sexes during ontogeny, to better prescribe habitat-improvement projects, and (2) estimate repeatability to assess potential for selection on body mass. Methods We used a 23-year dataset (1983–2005) of capture–recapture records of wild white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) to estimate components of variance and repeatability of body mass. We used an animal-model approach that employed the use of general linear mixed models and restricted maximum likelihood to adjust for the effects of age (i.e. fixed effect), and to partition the total phenotypic variance into among-individual (i.e. the deer), permanent environmental (i.e. year of birth) and temporary environmental (i.e. year of measurement and residual) effects (all modelled as random effects). Key results We found that body mass increased with age in both sexes, repeatability of body mass was 0.595 for females and 0.716 for males, and among-individual variation was more influential on body mass than were permanent and temporary environmental effects combined. Year of birth was more important in males than females, but changed during the course of ontogeny for both sexes. Year of measurement did not influence post-rut body mass in males, but did contribute to variation in body mass of females. Conclusions These long-term data offer insights into the sources of variation that influence body mass of deer, which can be used to understand how environmental sources of variation influence phenotypic traits, and for developing management plans and making selection decisions. Implications Knowledge of repeatability (as an upper limit to heritability) can be used to make management decisions related to selection, culling and breeding, whereas understanding environmental effects can lead to better management recommendations (e.g. habitat-improvement projects).

scholarly journals Relation of Crown and Foliage Traits to Height Growth of Sitka Spruce

1996 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 77-80
Author(s):  
D. L. Copes ◽  
W. H. Pawuk ◽  
W. A. Farr ◽  
R. R. Silen
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Control ◽  
Sitka Spruce ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Picea Sitchensis ◽  
Average Height ◽  
Rooted Cuttings ◽  
Field Plots

Abstract Four crown and foliage traits of a young Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) stand were tested with rooted cuttings in greenhouse and field plots for possible thinning selection guidelines. Repeatability estimates of the amount of genetic control over the four traits and the relation of those traits to height growth were evaluated 5 years after rooting. Only the blue-green trait was significantly associated (P < 0.05) with height growth. Average height of cuttings selected for green foliage was 17% greater than cuttings selected for blue foliage. Under greenhouse conditions, repeatability estimates of green or blue foliage were 98% versus 66%, respectively; 72% versus 89% for trees with dense or open crowns, respectively; 65% for the comparison of upright and horizontal branches; and 75% for the comparison of long or short branches. West. J. Appl. For. 11(3):77-80.

Delivering Sitka spruce with resistance against white pine weevil in British Columbia, Canada

2013 ◽  
Vol 89 (02) ◽  
pp. 235-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
René I. Alfaro ◽  
John N. King ◽  
Lara vanAkker
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Screening Method ◽  
Resistance Breeding ◽  
Sitka Spruce ◽  
Picea Sitchensis ◽  
Breeding Program ◽  
Plantation Forest ◽  
White Pine ◽  
Pine Weevil ◽  
White Pine Weevil

The Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis [Bong.] Carr) breeding program for resistance against the white pine weevil Pissodes strobi Peck (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is arguably one of the most successful pest resistance breeding programs for plantation forest species in North America, with a substantial proportion of the planting stock in BC and Washington State currently coming from this breeding program. Using conventional selection and breeding, and by screening Sitka spruce populations using artificial weevil infestations, we identified sources of heritable and stable weevil resistance. We also used this program to investigate potential causes behind this resistance and identified several heritable resistance mechanisms, including anatomical characteristics, such as constitutive resin canals and sclereid cells in the bark, terpene defenses and variation in tree phenology. We concluded that resistance is conferred by a suite of traits whose composition varies among resistant sources. In addition, we evaluated the efficiency of screening for resistance using weevil population enhancement as a screening method. Our results culminated in the establishment of seed orchards, and the availability of resistant seed that is contributing to the return of Sitka spruce as a species of choice in coastal British Columbia.

Wind-driven gap development in Birkley Wood, a long-term retention of planted Sitka spruce in upland Britain

2007 ◽  
Vol 37 (10) ◽  
pp. 1787-1796 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.P. Quine ◽  
D. C. Malcolm
Keyword(s):  
Wind Speed ◽  
Stand Structure ◽  
Sitka Spruce ◽  
Picea Sitchensis ◽  
Stand Development ◽  
Gap Formation ◽  
Planted Forests ◽  
Seed Sources ◽  
Strong Winds

Management of planted forests in Britain is changing to incorporate biodiversity and other nontimber values by lengthening rotations, seeking alternatives to clear-felling, and identifying stands for nonintervention. However, there are particular uncertainties over stand development of exotic species on areas of high windthrow hazard. This study considered the effect of strong winds between 1987 and 2000 on stand development of Sitka spruce ( Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carrière) planted in 1923. Windthrown gap area increased eightfold through at least 38 separate events. Windthrow of trees assessed as stable occurred during periods of higher wind speed than those with windthrow of trees assessed as vulnerable, and there was a nonlinear relationship between wind speed and increase in gap area. Gap expansion contributed more to the increase in gap area than new gap formation, and the centre of the largest gap migrated downwind. Nevertheless, a substantial proportion of the stand remains undisturbed to an extent not predicted. Therefore, a complex stand structure may develop, including a partial wave of natural regeneration of Sitka spruce in the expanding gaps, but species diversification will be slow due to the absence of local seed sources. The results provide insights for stand dynamics in windy, maritime environments.

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