Genetic parameters and genotype by environment interactions for wood properties of 13-year-old Pinus radiata were determined by sampling two progeny trials on contrasting sites in the southern slopes of New South Wales, Australia. Heritability of green and basic density were determined together with dynamic modulus of elasticity (MOE) measured using TreeTap. The phenotypic variance in MOE (CV 17-18%) was almost three times that of basic density. MOE and basic density were highly heritable at both sites (h2 0.57 & 0.79 for MOE & 0.59 and 0.85 for density). There was a moderately strong genetic correlation between MOE and basic density (0.64 across-sites). No genotype x environment interaction was detected in MOE or basic density. Basic density and MOE were lower on the warmer, lower rainfall site.
This study examined the combined effect of 19-years of nitrogen fertilisation and irrigation on the basic density along the stems of Pinus radiata (D.Don). The sample trees came from two treatments in the Biology of Forest Growth experiment: the control (C no treatment) and the irrigated and liquid fertilised (IL irrigated from age 10 to 29, liquid fertilised from ages 10 to 17). The mean basic density at breast height in the IL trees was significantly less (P < 0.05) than the C trees (430 and 471 kg m -3 , respectively). However, the mean density of the entire bole was not significantly different. Basic density decreased with height, with the density near the tips of the trees being only 80% of the density at breast height for both treatments. The relative rate of the decrease was different between treatments. The density of the C trees decreased steadily with height while the IL trees held a relatively constant density for about half their total height. The results show the importance sampling at several different heights when considering the effects of various treatments on wood basic density in Pinus radiata.
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