Genecology of Longleaf Pine in Georgia and Florida

Fourteen seed sources of Pinus palustris from Georgia, five from Florida, and one from Alabama were grown at five locations in Georgia and at two in Florida.Data collected through the 15th year in the field show: (1) survival and early height growth were best among the northern sources, possibly related to introgression with P. faeda; (2) individual stand or seed source contributed strongly to the components of variation, which could be due to stand history; i.e.; past logging practices; (3) significant seed source x plantation interaction for growth traits, interaction which possibly could be useful in selecting a suitable seed source for a particular site; and (4) a generally broad zone of adaptability in Georgia precludes the necessity for conducting more than one breeding program for longleaf pine for Georgia at this time.