Juvenile-mature correlations in selected Douglas-fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco] provenances and progenies

Abstract

Growth and branch characteristics of thirteen year old Douglas-fir trees were analysed with the objectives of partitioning the variance into additive and non-additive, estimating heritabilities, and estimating juvenile-mature genetic correlations. High correlations could be used in early selection to reduce the progeny testing periods with possible advantage of increasing selection differential and hence genetic gains. Most of the traits rendered non-significant additive variance, consequently non-significant heritabilities. Among the juvenile traits, embryo class and dormancy period revealed significant genetic correlations with the thirteen year old root collar diameter (0.73 and 0.32 respectively). This highlights the possible predictability of root collar diameter correlated response as a result of early selection based on embryo class or dormancy time.