SUCCESS RATE OF SUPPLEMENTAL MASS POLLINATION IN A SEED ORCHARD OF PINUS-SYLVESTRIS L

Two experiments (Expt 1. Expt 2) with supplemental mass pollination (S MP) were carried out in a seed orchard of Pinus sylvestris L. in order to assess the biological and operational prospects for SMP. The succe ss of the SMP was studied by means of allozyme markers. In Expt 1 the pollen mix was applied very close to each female strobilus. The estima ted success rates for treatments varied between 66%, and 84%. When sup plemental pollination was done at peak receptivity, one single pollina tion was enough to obtain high success rates. In Expt 2 the pollen mix was dusted over clusters of receptive strobili on whole-trees. The es timated success rates for treatments varied between 10% and 23%. The s uccess rates improved when the trees were pollinated on more than one occasion per day during the receptive period. The overall conclusion i s that SMP is practical for P. sylvestris seed orchards.