Genetic improvement of western larch: Progeny tests for West Kootenay seed planning zone

Project number: EP 1020.02.02

District: Selkirk Forest District

Objectives

• To evaluate the growth and adaptability of local and nonlocal western larch families in the West Kootenay seed planning zone
• To estimate breeding values of parents included in first-generation seed orchards in order to remove genetically inferior parents
• To estimate components of genetic variance/covariance, heritabilities and genetic gain for traits relating to tree growth, form, adaptability and wood properties

Experimental design

Genetic entries included in test (224 in total)

Zone	Number of wind-pollinated families
East Kootenay	24
West Kootenay	192
Controls	8 (5 local operational WK seedlots, 2 EK seedlots and 1 Siberian larch seedlot from Russia)

Layout

• Randomized complete-block design with eight replicate blocks
• The 224 genetic entries were randomly subdivided into 7 sets of 32 entries
• Sets were randomly assigned to positions in blocks
• Genetic entries were randomly assigned to four-tree row plots within sets
• Sampling units are individual trees spaced at 2 x 2 m. White stakes identify set corners

History

• 1993 plantations established
• 1995 manual brushing and third-year heights measured
• 1998
  • Sixth-year heights measured
  • Brushed Sandrift and Wilson Creek locations

Publications

Jaquish, B., G. Howe, L. Fins and M. Rust. 1995. Western larch tree improvement programs in the Inland Empire and British Columbia. In Ecology and management of Larix forests: a look ahead. Proc. of an international symposium; 1992 October 5-9; Whitefish, MT, U.S. Schmidt, W.C. and K.J. McDonald (comps). Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-GTR-319. Ogden, UT: U.S.D.A., Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station. pp. 452-460.

Comments

Demonstration plantings on each site include ten-tree row plots of various species of the genus Larix.

On all sites in this test series about ten percent mortality occurred immediately after planting. 1998 - Lake Creek location survival is now about 60% (frost).