NWTIC / SMC Genetic Gains / Type IV Joint Trial Progress Report (GGTIV)

NWTIC / SMC Genetic Gains / Type IVJoint Trial Progress Report(GGTIV) David G. Briggs Robert B. Harrison Keith Jayawickrama Brad St. Clair Eric C. Turnblom SMC Fall Policy Mtg. 2003

GGTIV Objectives • Provide information to guide managers currently applying combinations of genetics, spacing and vegetation control • Provide linkages with other studies (such as Genetic Gains Trials, intensive ‘veg’ mgt. trials, spacing trials (like SMC Type III), that will assist modeling SMC Fall Policy Mtg. 2003

GGTIV Study Design • Factorial Treatment Design • Spacing, three levels: S1, S2, S3 • Genetic Gain, three levels: G1, G2, G3 • Vegetation control, two levels: V1, V2 • Randomized Block Experimental Design • Six blocks for each breeding zone • First set of six in Grays Harbor breeding zone SMC Fall Policy Mtg. 2003

GGTIV Treatment Design • Spacing Factor levels • (S1) 15 x 15’, nominally 200 SPA • (S2) 10 x 10’, nominally 440 SPA • Genetic Gain Trial portion uses this density only • (S3) 7 x 7’, nominally 900 SPA SMC Fall Policy Mtg. 2003

GGTIV Treatment Design • Genetic Quality Factor levels • (G1) Unimproved • (G2) Moderate gain • Type IV Trial portion does not use this level • (G3) High gain SMC Fall Policy Mtg. 2003

GGTIV Treatment Design • Vegetation Control Factor levels • (V1) Current Practice • Defined as single site prep; used only in Type IV • (V2) Complete • Defined as 80% or greater bare ground until crown closure; standard on all GGT plots and on Type IV SMC Fall Policy Mtg. 2003

GGTIV Experimental Design • Genetic Gain Trial • Uses all three gain levels (G1, G2, G3) • Uses middle spacing level (S2) • Uses complete vegetation control level (V2) • Type IV Trial • Uses two gain levels (G1, G3) • Uses all three spacing levels (S1, S2, S3) • Uses two ‘veg’ control levels (V1, V2) SMC Fall Policy Mtg. 2003

GGTIV Experimental Design • Genetic Gain Trial • Holds spacing & ‘veg’ control constant, resulting in three ‘G’ treatments • Replicated 5 times for total of 15 plots • S2 level requires ~0.6 acre plot size including buffer • Total area is ~9 acres SMC Fall Policy Mtg. 2003

GGTIV Experimental Design • Type IV Trial • Spacing x Genetics x ‘Veg’ = 3 x 2 x 2 = 12 treatments, but not every V1 level appears • “Complete” block at V2 level, “incomplete” at V1 level • Nine plots in each block, two shared with GGT • Total area is ~6 acres SMC Fall Policy Mtg. 2003

GGTIV Block (or Site) Layout G1 (S2 V2) G1 S1 V2 G3 G1 G2 G2 G3 G3 S3 V2 G1 S3 V2 G3 S3 V1 G2 G3 S1 V2 G3 S1 V1 G1 S2 V1 G1 G3 G3 G3 (S2 V2) G2 G1 G1 G2 SMC Fall Policy Mtg. 2003

GGTIV Site Layout • Grid will be overlaid on photos to identify largest possible number of 0.75 acre ‘cells’ • All plot boundaries laid in; “rough” or otherwise highly variable plots discarded • Remaining plots (min. 22) randomized to treatments • Planting rows will be carefully laid out, planting spots pinned • Protection: Seedling tubes or fencing SMC Fall Policy Mtg. 2003

Fencing vs Tubing Type IV’s SMC Fall Policy Mtg. 2003

Assumptions SMC Fall Policy Mtg. 2003

Break-even SMC Fall Policy Mtg. 2003

GGTIV Site Selection • Grays Harbor breeding zone • Need sample of sites to which seed is deployed • Extendable 1 zone N/S or E/W – mind Elev. • Minimum area 15 ac, probably ~30 acres • Ready to plant by 2005 (3 units), or 2006 (3 units) • Tour (9 Sep 2003) identified 1 unit for 2005, and one unit for 2006 (out of four visited) • Candidate Area Selection Forms (CASF) • Fill out prior to harvest (permits better SI est., etc.) • On-site evaluation follows CASF screening SMC Fall Policy Mtg. 2003

GGTIV Site Parameters • Clearcut (no dispersed leave trees, may be clumped at edges) • Undetectable disease • Avoid pulling stumps • Avoid piling slash; piles at edges OK(?) • Avoid slash burning in favor of mechanical disposal; spray to control re-sprouts to achieve 80% bare ground SMC Fall Policy Mtg. 2003

GGTIV Seedling Parameters • NWTIC verifies crosses w/ BLUP rankings • Container 15’s with fertilizer • All seedlings clearly tagged to identify gain level (RFID from PFC?) • Grown at same nursery facility • Appropriately randomize nursery blocks (averages out edge effects, etc.) SMC Fall Policy Mtg. 2003

GGTIV Conclusion • NWTIC has special project funding to go ahead with their next GGT • Brief series of conversations will define responsibilities for further operational aspects between co-ops • Sites needed; Landowners with holdings in or immediately surrounding Grays Harbor breeding zone – send in a CASF (or two) SMC Fall Policy Mtg. 2003

NWTIC / SMC Genetic Gains / Type IVJoint Trial Progress Report(GGTIV) Thank you for your attention!Questions? David G. Briggs Robert B. Harrison Keith Jayawickrama Brad St. Clair Eric C. Turnblom SMC Fall Policy Mtg. 2003

NWTIC / SMC Genetic Gains / Type IV Joint Trial Progress Report (GGTIV)