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Genetic and Economic Consequences of Pollen Contamination in Seed Orchards

Pollen contamination can be a serious obstacle to achieving maximum genetic gains from seed orchards. In the future, the problem will be greater as early-flowering techniques speed up the generation turnover time and advanced-generation seed orchards cane into full production. This will lead to a larger gene frequency differential between orchard and non-orchard clones than occurs in first-generation seed orchards. Economic analyses indicate that the corrective measures available depend upon the number of acres an organization will be planting, the amount of pollen contamination and the gene frequency differential between advanced-generation orchards and the source of pollen contamination. More research is needed to determine how much pollen contamination occurs in seed orchards and the effectiveness of various corrective measures. Additional keywords: Pollen dilution zone, advanced-generation seed orchards.


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Author(s): Richard Sniezko

Publication: Tree Improvement and Genetics - Southern Forest Tree Improvement Conference - 1981

Section: Section 4: Seed Utilization and Seed Orchard Management