BLOCK EFFECT ON GENETIC PARAMETERS IN A 23-YEAR-OLD PROGENY TRIAL OF PINUS BRUTIA

Abstract

Many environmental and biological factors could be effective on estimation of genetic parameters in progeny trials. Number of blocks (also called as replicate) is one of the most important environmental factors in these estimations. Effect of block scenarios on genetic parameters were investigated based on height and diameter at breast height in a 23-year-old progeny trial established by 4 blocks of seed stand and seed orchard seedlings of Turkish red pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) in this study. Averages were 14.14 m for tree height and 17.69 cm for diameter at breast height in polled seed sources. Generally significant (p<0.05) differences among blocks, and families for the traits in the scenarios were found by results of analysis of variance. While variance of error was similar for both traits, there were large differences were estimated among other variance components for the scenarios. Individual heritability, phenotypic coefficient of variation, genetic coefficient of variation, and genetic gain varied for the traits and block scenarios. Results of the study emphasized effect of block numbers on genetic parameters