Root growth potential and shoot activity of northern and southern provenances of 1–0 eastern white pine seedlings grown in a Virginia nursery

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Root growth potential and shoot activity were examined from October until April using northern and southern half-sib families of 1–0 eastern white pine (Pinusstrobus L.) seedlings (grown in a Virginia nursery). There were significant differences in root growth potential between northern and southern provenances and this was apparently due to the larger size of seedlings of southern origin. Heritability estimates indicate that root growth potential is under minimal genetic control in 1–0 eastern white pine seedlings. Southern provenances maintained higher shoot activity at the end of the root growth potential test during the autumn months. By April, northern provenances had surpassed southern provenances in shoot activity. Large differences in shoot activity did not result in large root growth potential differences which may indicate that bud dormancy status does not highly influence root growth potential in 1–0 eastern white pine seedlings.