Tree Improvement Update for Fraser Fir

The Forest Service currently manages two first generation genetically improved seed orchards for the production of commercial quantities of seed. These orchards were thinned to allow interbreeding between the best of the best tested clones. This will allow the NCFS to capture the largest genetic gains possible from our seed orchards for deployment throughout the state. Collection of seed orchard seed will continue on an individual clone basis to maximize gains in deployment.

A second generation seed orchard was established in 2006. This orchard will produce commercial quantities of seed in about 6-8 years. A duplicate of this seed orchard at another location is planned for security purposes. An upgraded second generation orchard is also planned.

Seed Collection

The 2006 seed collection year for Fraser fir was very good at both seed orchards. Collection of seed orchard seed and subsequent sowing of this seed will continue to be by individual family for deployment and testing. The best families were chosen for commercial production from the Greenhouse facility at Linville River Nursery. Two sizes of styroblocks containers were sown.

Seed Orchards

Vegetation management in the seed orchards and clone banks is being converted from mechanical to chemical mowing, Only supplemental mechanical mowing is expected at some locations in the future. Rogueing of these seed orchards has been completed.

Final grafting was completed for the second generation Lodge Orchard at Gill State Forest (Linville River Nursery) in Crossnore, NC.

Progeny Testing

Field measurements of all existing progeny tests have been completed and 2nd generation selections made and grafted for clone banking.

Progeny Tests #30 and #31 were established in spring 2008. These tests consist of the last 1st generation Lodge Orchard seed from the "312" population. These tests were comprised of 3-2 transplant seedlings being raised at Linville River Nursery. Test #32, consisting of the 10 best families, was sown in the greenhouse at Linville River Nursery to assess their response to greenhouse cultural practices. These seedlings will be field planted later as another progeny test.

Seed for additional progeny tests were sown in the greenhouse in Morganton in February 2007. Approximately 50 open pollinated families were included from the "312" and the "NC" populations. Seed from an earlier diallel test was also sown. These seedlings will be raised as one year greenhouse plugs and then one year on an outdoor bench (1-1 superplug) and then be available for out planting in 2 years (spring 2009). Seed for a full diallel progeny test was also sown in the Morganton greenhouse.

Breeding

Pollen from selected families has been collected, extracted, tested and stored for future breeding work.

Selections from progeny tests that were not grafted in 2006 were grafted in 2007. Juvenile Fraser fir and Turkish fir (Abies bornmulleriana) seedlings were used as root-stock.

Topgrafting experiments continue. New grafts were made in the spring of 2006-07-08 with juvenile scion material onto sexually mature trees. The goal of these experiments is to try to induce flower production in superior selections sooner than would occur naturally. Selections for these experiments include the 12 clones chosen for the 2nd Generation Lodge Orchard.