Genetic improvement of western larch: Series II progeny tests for West Kootenay Shuswap Adams seed planning

Project number: EP 1020.02.04

District: Selkirk Forest District

Objectives

• To evaluate the growth and adaptability of local and non-local western larch families in the West Kootenay Shuswap Adams seed planning zone
• To estimate breeding values of parents included in the Ministry of Forests' first-generation seed orchard in order to remove genetically inferior parents
• To study the inheritance of traits relating to tree growth, form, adaptability and wood properties in western larch

Experimental design

210 genetic entries [wind-pollinated (wp) families and operational check seedlots]

Seedlot zone of origin	Seedlot category	Number of entries
West Kootenay Shuswap Adams	wp families	179
East Kootenay	wp families	14
Merritt	wp families	10
Controls	operational bulk seedlots	7

Layout

• Randomized complete-block design with eight replicate blocks
• The 210 genetic entries were randomly subdivided into 7 sets of 30
• Sets were randomly assigned to positions in blocks
• Genetic entries were randomly assigned to four-tree plots within sets
• Sampling units are individual trees spaced at 2 x 2m. White stakes identify set corners

History

• 1996 plantations established
• 1998
  • Third-year heights measured
  • Cameron Lake plantation brushed
• 1999 Eureka Creek location abandoned due to poor survival
• 2001 Sixth year height assessments and maintenance

Publications

Jaquish, B., G. Howe, L. Fins and M. Rust. 1995. Western larch tree improvement programs in the Inland Empire and British Columbia. In Ecology and management of Larix forests: a look ahead. Proc. of an international symposium; 1992 October 5-9; Whitefish, MT, U.S. Schmidt, W.C. and K.J. McDonald (comps). Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-GTR-319. Ogden, UT: U.S.D.A., Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station. pp. 452-460.

Comments

These plantings represent part of the West Kootenay Shuswap Adams Series II western larch progeny tests. The test materials in these tests are also planted at two sites (Sparkle Creek and Miriam Creek) in the Thompson Okanagan Region.

1998 - The Eureka Creek plantation is at high elevation (1560 m) in the ESSFwc1 zone. The plantation suffered high mortality that was attributed to cold damage.

Both installations also include a small planting of alpine x western larch hybrids. Each planting consists of three hybrid families and five operational Lw seedlots randomly planted in four replicate blocks with ten larch trees per family.