Associations between heterozygosity and growth rate variables in three western forest trees

Abstract

For each of three species, quaking aspen, ponderosa pine, and lodgepole pine, we determined the relationships between a ranking of heterozygosity of individuals and measures of growth rate. Genetic variation was assayed by starch gel electrophoresis of enzymes. Growth rates were characterized by the mean, standard deviation, logarithm of the variance, and coefficient of variation of annual ring widths measured from cores. In aspen, heterozygosity was associated with high mean growth rate, but in ponderosa and lodgepole pines heterozygosity was not associated with mean growth rate. High levels of heterozygosity were associated with high growth variability in aspen and ponderosa pine, and with low growth variability in lodgepole pine.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the symposium on isozymes of North American forest trees and forest insects; July 27, 1979; Berkeley, California

Citation

Milton, Jeffry B.; Knowles, Peggy; Sturgeon, Kareen B.; Linhart, Yan B. ; Davis, Martha. 1981. Associations between heterozygosity and growth rate variables in three western forest trees. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-48. Berkeley, CA: Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Exp. Stn, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture: p. 27-34