Genetic Variation among Somatic Embryo Clones of Nordmann Fir Grown as Christmas Trees

Somatic embryogenesis (SE) cloning techniques for Nordmann fir Christmas tree production have been pursued and refined in Denmark, three SE clonal trials with 201 clones from seeds of 27 trees seedlings bulk harvest Georgia, Caucasus, were established 2014 to 2015. This study was the first evaluate genetic performance these different sites. In addition, (zygotic) normal field compared this study. based on key groups traits production, measured 5 6 years after planting: growth, commercial quality, disorder. Seedlings grew faster had better quality than clones. There significant family effects all traits, indicating that a good also produced average. Growth disorder under moderate control, estimated broad-sense heritability (H2) 0.19 0.31 0.20 0.28, respectively. Quality low H2, ranging 0.09 0.24. Significant genotype-by-environment interactions shown post-harvest needle retention, branch angle, suggesting importance choosing right clone at each site. no interaction height among years. Superior clones, unbred seed source, identified by combining several important traits. Overall, somatic well but slower growth standard seedlings.