Comparisons of Production Costs and Genetic Benefits of Transplants and Rooted Cuttings of <i>Picea sitchensis</i>

Abstract

A system has been developed by the British Forestry Commission for bulking-up plant numbers from scarce seedlots by rooted cuttings. Commercial-scale trials of the system are now underway. This paper describes a comparison of the costs of producing planting stock by two methods; traditional nursery rearing of transplants (1 + 1) and vegetative propagation of stock material to produce cuttings (Cl + 1). Genetic gains are predicted and compared for both systems, predictions being based on quantitative estimates of genetic variables from progeny tests and on the current progress of the breeding programme. The implications of the economic comparison for the future breeding programme for Sitka spruce are discussed.