Results of black alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.) improvement in Latvia
2010
Gailis, A., Latvian State Forest Research Inst. Silava, Salaspils (Latvia) | Jansons, A., Latvian State Forest Research Inst. Silava, Salaspils (Latvia)
Black alder wood is suitable for production of high quality veneer and other uses, but doe to its small share in total forest area (3%) in Latvia its genetic improvement have not been a priority. Set of progeny tests, together 22.8 ha, have been established only in the last decade. First of them have reached the age of 8 to 10 years and are suitable for first assessment. Aim of our study was to evaluate potential of improvement of black alder using selection, based on progeny testing. Data from 4 open pollinated progeny tests of phenotypically selected black alder plus trees, located in central part of Latvia, each containing from 15 to 21 families, are evaluated, using breeding value as a criterion. Results reveal that selection of parent trees with the practically possible intensity (10%) yields notable improvement in height at the age of 8 to 10 years: from 10 to 32%. Parent trees of open-pollinated families S9, S14, S16 and 84115 that have superior productivity and above-average quality can be recommended for establishment of second-round seed orchard. Estimates of genetic parameter suggest that selection in black alder trials could be carried out with high accuracy and improvements are possible both in productivity and quality (branch thickness, stem straightness, occurrence of spike knots).
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