Objective of this study:
The purpose of this study was to determine if conifer seed that has been artificially selected to be improved, is actually improved relative to unimproved seed in terms of growth measurements when faced with drought and fungal infection stressors.
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Why does it matter?Selection for improved seed in conifer species is important to increase growth, height and wood quality of new forest stands being planted. Improvement in forest stands is necessary to continue building healthy and productive forests despite logging and lumber practices, as well as in a changing climate. In addition, forest trees are faced with environmental stressors such as drought and fungal infection, and so they must be able to withstand these stressors.
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How did we do it and what did we find?
A greenhouse experiment was carried out with 192 lodgepole pine seedlings. These seedlings belonged in three breeding class categories: unimproved, improved and elite. Some seedlings were treated with drought, others with western gall rust fungus. The seedling height, their water use efficiency and stomatal conductance were measured after two months. We found that the elite seedlings grew the best, followed by the improved and then the unimproved. We found that in most cases, the breeding class significantly effected the differences observed in seedling growth.