Clonal variation in pollen-related characteristics of Douglas-fir

Abstract

The mean number of pollen grains produced per pollen cone (P) ranged from 37 310 to 62 960 ([Formula: see text], SE = 1584) among eight seed-orchard clones of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco) and correlated significantly (r = 0.87, p < 0.05) with the mean number of microsporophylls per cone but not significantly with pollen cone length. The number of pollen grains per milligram (G) also differed among clones (range 2323–3112; [Formula: see text], SE = 32) and correlated significantly and negatively (r = −0.86) with grain diameter. Although this study provides evidence for genetic variation in both P and G, the differences were relatively small. Adjusting pollen-cone counts for P would add little, if any, precision to estimates of pollen production in seed-orchard clones. If balanced clonal representation in pollen mixes is desired, equal weights of pollen would probably suffice for most breeding applications.