Number:  P-39
Keys:  PY, DR
Title: Tip Moth Infestation on Slash, Loblolly, and Various Hybrid Pines.
Initiated: 1995
 
Contact: S. Cameron
Cooperators:  Union Camp (Scott Cameron), USFS (Gary DeBarr)
Locations:  Millen, GA and all Project P-30 locations

Objectives and Applications:
Objectives:  1) To examine relative susceptibility of 5 pine taxa (PEE, PTA, PEExF1H, PEExPCH, PEExLOB) to tip moth infestation; 2) to determine if there is family-within-taxa variation in susceptibility; 3) to determine possible physiological causes for taxa and family-within-taxa variation.

Applications:  1) Information on the relative susceptibility of taxa can guide silvicultural decisions regarding operational use; 2) If family variation exists, breeding for tip moth resistance is possible; 3) Understanding of the physiological mechanisms of susceptibility may lead to improved silvicultural control.
 

Materials and Methods:
Materials: One test of 20 reps, single-tree plots, 5 taxa and 8 families/taxa has been established using extra material from the CFGRP Hybrid/Realized Gains Study P-30.  The same slash pine females (1, 4, 5, 6, 14, 15, 20, 22) are represented in 4 of the 5 taxa (PEE, PEExPCH, PEExF1H, PEExLOB).

Methods: Tip moth infestation will be evaluated whenever significant amounts occur.  Additionally, the "unfertilized" treatments in the large block-plot design tests of P-30 will not be treated to control tip moth, and thus can be used to provide additional data regarding this topic.

Number:  P-40
Keys:  PY, TX
Title: Rooting of Slash, Loblolly, and Various Hybrid Pines.
Initiated: 1995
 
Contact: D. Huber
Cooperators:  Rayonier (B. Cazell), Champion (G. Leach), CCA (M. Oehler)
Locations:  Yulee FL, Cantonment FL, Fernandina Beach FL

Objectives and Applications:
Objectives:  1) To examine relative rooting of 5 pine taxa (PEE, PTA, PEExF1H, PEExPCH, PEExLOB); 2) to determine if there is family-within-taxa variation in rooting.

Applications:  Information on the rooting of taxa can guide silvicultural decisions regarding operational use.  If a taxa can be rooted, this presents options both in breeding and in selection for production populations.  Information on the amount of family variation in rooting would be important in making breeding, testing, and production decisions.
 

Materials and Methods:
Materials: Three cooperators have established hedges from various taxa:
Rayonier: Hedges established from 5 taxa, 5 families/taxa, and 3 trees/family.
PEE = 4, 6, 14, 15, 20
PEExF1H = 4, 6, 14, 15, 20
PEExLOB = 4, 6, 14, 15, 20
PEExPCH = 3, 4, 6, 15, 17, 20
PTA = 84, 85, 86,87,88
Champion: Hedges established from 3 taxa, 3 families/taxa, and 3 trees/family.
PEE, PEExLOB, PEExPCB (families 4, 20, 21)
CCA: Hedges established from the following taxa and families.
PEE = 4, 14
PEExPCH = 4
PEExLOB = 7, 14, 15, 17, 24, 26
PTA = 81, 82, 88, 94
PEExPCB = 15

Methods: Hedges will be grown and maintained for one to two years until enough cuttings can be supplied for a useful rooting experiment, hopefully in conjunction with the NC State rooted cutting project.

Objectives:
1) Diagnose and compare needle nutrient concentration levels of macro nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) among families of a species and among species in different seasons and test locations.   Determine genetic variation and structure of nutritional traits and clarify whether family × environment interaction exists for each nutrient.  2) Analyze the distribution of leaf area along the crown in different families and species and determine potential production components that may control growth. 3) Examine relationships between nutrient use efficiency and growth performance in different families and species.   Observe the seasonality of nutrients over one year period and response features of growth to nutrient variability across seasons.

Applications:
Field and laboratory measurements on growth and nutrients will be used to predict the genetic control of selected traits relative to environmental influence.  Breeding values and heritabilities of nutritional traits will be estimated to explore the possibility of genetically improving nutrient traits that ultimately lead to higher growth rate.  Expected results will positively influence future tree growth modeling and refinement of management prescriptions that involve genotype deployment and silvicultural treatments.

Materials:
Loblolly pine, improved slash pine, and unimproved slash were planted in the two test locations at the end of 1994.  Two treatment levels (intensive vs. non-intensive) were established and each treatment had three blocks.   Sixteen families were planted for each taxon, of which two trees are randomly selected and tagged from each family in each block.  Overall, 1,152 trees were tagged, subsequent sampling of needles and growth measurements were conducted on these trees.

Methods: Needle samples are scheduled for collection to determine nutrient concentrations of each element in four time periods: June, September, November, 1997, and February, 1998, from current-year fascicles on upper third position of a crown.  Traits in the measurements include DBH, total height, leaf area, specific leaf area, crown height, crown width, crown shape ratio, branch angle, and base diameter of branches in a crown.   All collected data will be analyzed using appropriate statistical and quantitative methods.