Study on the Effect to Budding Branch of Maternal Plant Growth of Clonal Cutting Orchard and Selection of Liriodendron sino-americanum
Based on the data of 3-years-old maternal plants of thirteen clones in cutting orchard of Liriodendron sino-americanum,This study investigated the differences and correlations analysis between the maternal plant height,ground diameter,and the budding branch number,diameter and length,and identified superior clones for high-quality breeding materials for cutting orchard.The results showed significant or extremely significant differences in the maternal plant height,ground diameter,and the budding branch number,diameter and length among clones,all of which were strongly genetically controlled.The clone's repeatability is 0.804~0.840,and the individual's re-peatability is 0.450~0.512.All traits exhibited highly positive correlations ranging from 0.436 to 0.808,suggesting that selecting fast-growing clones would concurrently improve both the quantity and quality of budding branch.According to the management objectives of the cutting orchard,three clones,A18,D29,and D35,were selected as excellent propagating materials.The average values of their maternal plant height,ground diameter,and the budding branch number,diameter,and length were 2.09 m,3.3 cm,12.8,0.9 cm and 0.85 m,respectively.The actual gains were 21.78%,17.73%,26.83%,11.90%and 29.49%,and the genetic gains were 17.53%,14.89%,22.48%,9.57%and 24.62%,respectively.This study provides a theoretical basis for the selection of materials for cutting orchard of Liriodendron sino-americanum,and lays the foun-dation for its propagation and promotion.