SMC Fall Policy Mtg. 2003

NWTIC / SMC Genetic Gains / Type IV

Joint 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– 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– 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

G2

G1(S2 V2)

G1

G2

G3 G1

G3 G3(S2 V2)

G2

G1

G3

G2

G2

G1 G3G3 S1

V1

G3 S3V2

G1 S2V1

G1 S3V2

G3 S3V1

G1 S1V2

G3 S1V2

GGTIV Block (or Site) Layout

SMC Fall Policy Mtg. 2003

GGTIV Site LayoutGrid 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 discardedRemaining plots (min. 22) randomized to treatmentsPlanting rows will be carefully laid out, planting spots pinnedProtection: Seedling tubes or fencing

SMC Fall Policy Mtg. 2003

Fencing vs Tubing Type IV’s

SMC Fall Policy Mtg. 2003

AssumptionsLength of Side of 3/4 Ac plot, ft 181

# plots per side 5

minimum length of side 905

side length, ft @$2.00/ft @$3.00/ft tubing @ $0.50 acres enclosed

1000 $ 8,000 $ 12,000 $ 28,000 23

1500 $ 12,000 $ 18,000 $ 28,000 52

2000 $ 16,000 $ 24,000 $ 28,000 92

2500 $ 20,000 $ 30,000 $ 28,000 143

Tubing includes initial cost + $4000 annual cost to re-set tubes

SMC Fall Policy Mtg. 2003

Break-evenInititial Cost of Tubing vs Fencing

$-

$5,000

$10,000

$15,000

$20,000

$25,000

$30,000

$35,000

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000

Side of square to enclose, feet

Do

llars

@$2.00/ft

@$3.00/ft

tubing @ $0.50

SMC Fall Policy Mtg. 2003

GGTIV Site SelectionGrays Harbor breeding zoneNeed sample of sites to which seed is deployedExtendable 1 zone N/S or E/W – mind Elev.

Minimum area 15 ac, probably ~30 acresReady 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 ParametersClearcut (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 IV

Joint Trial Progress Report(GGTIV)

Thank you for your attention! Questions?

David G. Briggs

Robert B. Harrison

Keith Jayawickrama

Brad St. Clair

Eric C. Turnblom