Selection and propagation of highly graft-compatible Douglas-fir rootstocks—a case history.

Abstract

Two populations of Douglas-fir trees were screened for graft compatibility. Two-stage testing procedures were used with either high- or low-intensity screening in the first step. Of 303 trees, 16 (5 percent) were found to be 90- to 100-percent graft compatible and suitable for seed orchard use as rootstocks. High-intensity screening in the first stage was more effective than the low-intensity screening in detecting highly compatible trees. Trees proven to be 90- to 100-percent compatible after second stage screening were propagated as rooted cuttings and used as parents in controlled pollinations to produce highly compatible seedling families. Approximately 120,000 cuttings have been gathered from 16 ortets and 212 field-planted ramets during the past 7 years. The future supply of cuttings and control-pollinated seed from these desired trees should be adequate to meet the rootstock requirements of most west coast tree improvement organizations.

Citation

Copes, Donald L. 1981. Selection and propagation of highly graft-compatible Douglas-fir rootstocks—a case history. Res. Note PNW-RN-376. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station. 8 p