Heritability and Expected Gain Estimates for Traits of Black Locust in Michigan

1989

S. 125-130

3 Tab., 19 Lit. Ang.

Unselbständiges Werk

200051083

Open-pollinated progeny from 434 families from the natural and naturalized range of black locust were tested at two sites in Michigan. Observations of height, dieback, the number of dominant leaders, length and thorns, borer attack, time of bud-break (opening of wood plates to show green material), and time of leaf initiation (appearance of leaves) were made after one growing season. The analysis of variance showed significant family, block, and site differences for all traits from the combined data. There were no apparent geographic patterns in variation for any of the traits. Single tree heritabilities for length of thorns, time of bud-break, and time of leaf initiation were higher than family heritabilities from the combined data. Estimated genetic gains from combined selection for height, dieback, number of dominant leaders, length of thorns, time of budbreak, and time of leaf initiation were 45%, 46%, 18%, 52%, 32%, and 55%, respectively, when the best 20 individuals from the best 20 families were selected. The date were corrected for block and site effects for genetic gain estimations.