Abstract
The techniques outlined by Lee (2001) were used to estimate Scots pine plus tree breeding values for 10‐year height and stem form. Breeding values were estimated for 844 Scots pine plus trees based on assessments of half‐sibling progeny established between 1957 and 1984. The techniques involved have allowed the estimation of national family heritability values for height (0.71) and stem form (0.57) and their genetic (−0.32) and phenotypic (−0.22) correlations. Selection exclusively for height would lead to a reduction in stem form but since the negative correlation is weak, it remains possible to select a large breeding population which on average will show positive improvements for both traits. A total of 226 trees have been re‐selected to constitute the Scots pine breeding population. Depending on the economic weights applied to height and stem form, predicted gains from clonal seed orchards of the top 40 parents will be of the order of 14–20 per cent for height and 5–19 per cent for stem form relative to common registered seed stands. There are currently no plans to advance the programme into a second cycle of breeding and selection.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
