Complementarity increases production in genetic mixture of loblolly pine ( Pinus taeda L.) throughout planted range

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  • Authors: Carter, David R.; Albaugh, Timothy J.; Campoe, OtÁvio C.; Grossman, Jake J.; Rubilar, Rafael A.; Sumnall, Matthew; Maier, Christopher A.; Cook, Rachel L.; Fox, Thomas R.
  • Publication Year: 2020
  • Publication Series: Scientific Journal (JRNL)
  • Source: Ecosphere
  • DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3279

Abstract

Increased genotypic diversity has been associated with increased biomass production in shortrotation
tree species. Increasing the genotypic diversity of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) in an attempt to
increase productivity has not been extensively studied nor tested operationally or over long durations (i.e.,
>7 yr). We used genetically mixed and pure rows of loblolly pine growing throughout its planted range—
Virginia, North Carolina, and Brazil—to test the effects of genetic mixing on volume production. There
were no significant effects of mixing rows compared to pure rows on uniformity or mortality. Under intensive
silviculture, individual trees planted in mixed rows had approximately 7% greater volume than those
in the pure rows (estimate = 0.015 m3/tree ± 0.006) in the final year of measurement—year 8 for Brazil
and year 10 for North Carolina and Virginia. Scaling the increase in individual stem volume under mixed
rows and intensive silviculture to 1235 stems ha−1 would equate to an additional 1.85 m3 ha−1 yr−1 in
mean annual increment. Measuring the net biodiversity effect, our data suggest the positive growth
response is driven by complementarity and not selection, meaning both genetic entries tend to grow larger
when grown together. Additional trials are necessary to test the effects of mixing rows across large plots
and to assess whether this increase is sustained throughout the rotation. If this increasing trend were to
hold for intensively managed plantations, strategically mixing rows to increase productivity could be a
valuable addition to an intensively managed plantation requiring relatively little added operational consideration
to implement.

  • Citation: Carter, David R.; Albaugh, Timothy J.; Campoe, OtÁvio C.; Grossman, Jake J.; Rubilar, Rafael A.; Sumnall, Matthew; Maier, Christopher A.; Cook, Rachel L.; Fox, Thomas R. 2020. Complementarity increases production in genetic mixture of loblolly pine ( Pinus taeda L.) throughout planted range . Ecosphere. 11(11): 337-. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.3279.
  • Keywords: clonal forestry, genotypes, net biodiversity effect, selection, uniformity
  • Posted Date: September 10, 2021
  • Modified Date: September 13, 2021

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