Variation and selection analysis of Pinus koraiensis clones in northeast China

Abstract

Understanding genetic variation is important for efficiently selecting excellent clones and utilizing genetic resources during tree breeding. We investigated 16 growth traits of 50 32-year-old Pinus koraiensis clones. Analyses of variance showed that all the test traits differed significantly among clones. Average height, diameter at breast height (DBH), and volume of all clones were 10.41 m, 21.30 cm, and 0.148 m3, respectively. Phenotypic coefficients of variation and repeatabilities of traits ranged from 4.37 to 48.03% and from 0.013 to 0.900, respectively. There exists significant positive correlations among heights, diameter at different heights (1.3, 3.0, 5.0 m), and volumes; genetic correlation was close to phenotype correlation. Using four growth traits (height, DBH, volume, average crown width) as indices for a comprehensive evaluation, five clones (PK 11, PK 19, PK 04, PK 14, and PK 28), whose traits scored in the top 10%, were selected as elite clones. For these clones, genetic gains in height, DBH, volume and crown height were 8.58, 13.02, 32.72 and 3.83%, respectively. These results provide important information for improving P. koraiensis breeding programs.