Progeny test: assessing the influence of genetics and the environment on American chestnut at its northern range limit

Abstract

Chestnut blight is the primary factor that constrains American chestnut populations in North America. However, genetic and environmental factors unrelated to blight tolerance also infl uence chestnut health and productivity. Furthermore, these infl uences may be particularly important in novel environments, such as a species' range limit. One way to examine the infl uences of genetics and the environment on tree performance is to grow trees from across a species’ range together in a common garden where environmental conditions are more uniform and diff erences among seed sources can be better attributed to tree genetics. This type of common garden planting is called a provenance test.

Citation

Schaberg, Paul G.; Murakami, Paula F.; Collins, Kendra M. 2022. Progeny test: assessing the influence of genetics and the environment on American chestnut at its northern range limit. Chestnut. 36(3): 31-34.