RELATEDNESS AND STATUS NUMBER IN SEED ORCHARD CROPS

Status number is a measure of effective population size that is based on current relatedness only. Formulae are developed for group coancest ry (=average coancestry) and status number for seed orchard crops. The formulae consider (1) differences in reproductive success among orcha rd genotypes, (2) relatedness between pairs of orchard genotypes, (3) inbreeding of orchard genotypes, (4) influence of pollen contamination (considering its relatedness both to itself and to the genotypes in t he orchard), and (5) gender differences and sexual asymmetries of orch ard genotypes. Properties of status number and other measures of effec tive number are discussed. They may refer to rate or state, to the ref erence population or the development of an idealized population, and t o different moments in the sexual cycle.