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Selection and breeding for genetic improvement in loblolly pine has over a 50 year history in the Southeast US. A great deal of the effort has focused on improving growth rates, resulting greater yields at harvest, and shortening rotation lengths as compared to unimproved genotypes. While there are many guesses and rules-of-thumb as to the gains to be expected in such traits as volume at rotation age, there are very few data to quantitatively assess actual rotation age gain. As the expense of genetic improvement must be balanced by a later return on the investment, more precise, quantitative estimates of the rotation age value of genetically improved stands are needed. These estimates will enable more informed decision-making regarding investment in tree improvement efforts, as well as how much may be spent to purchase better genotypes for planting.
This research will focus on bringing together as much growth and stem quality data as possible from older loblolly pine tests (approximately 15 to 25 years) to empirically construct estimates of the growth effects of genetic improvement. Tests with large family block plantings are especially vital to more closely match operational conditions. These data will be used to update current growth and yield models to account for the quality of the genetic stock planted.
Currently, several tests in the 22-23 age range have been evaluated for growth traits, courtesy of MeadWestvaco. Further data will be collected as the opportunity arises.
Steve McKeand
Email: steve_mckeand@ncsu.edu
Bronson Bullock
Email: Bronson_Bullock@ncsu.edu
Lee Allen
Email: Lee_Allen@ncsu.edu
Thanks also to MeadWestvaco and Dave Gerwig for generously allowing access to tests and providing assistance and historic data.
Financial support is provided by the Hofmann Fellowship at NCSU and the NCSU CTIP
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