SMC Fall Policy Mtg 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 G2 G1 (S2 V2) G1 G2 G3G1 G3 (S2 V2) G2 G1 G3 G2 G1G3 G3 S1 V1 G3 S3 V2 G1 S2 V1 G1 S3 V2 G3 S3 V1 G1 S1 V2 G3 S1 V2 GGTIV Block (or Site) Layout

SMC Fall Policy Mtg 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 Fencing vs Tubing Type IV’s

SMC Fall Policy Mtg Assumptions Length of Side of 3/4 Ac plot, ft181 # plots per side5 minimum length of side905 side $0.50acres enclosed 1000 $ 8,000 $ 12,000 $ 28, $ 12,000 $ 18,000 $ 28, $ 16,000 $ 24,000 $ 28, $ 20,000 $ 30,000 $ 28, Tubing includes initial cost + $4000 annual cost to re-set tubes

SMC Fall Policy Mtg Break-even

SMC Fall Policy Mtg 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 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 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 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 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