Retrospective genetic tests of Pinus sylvestris L. in growth chambers withtwo irrigation regimes and two temperatures

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic correlations between st em volume in seven 19-30-yr-old field progeny trials and growth traits asse ssed in 1-yr-old Pinus sylvestris seedlings in growth-chamber treatments wi th optimal and limiting water availability at two temperatures. The seedlin gs in the growth-chamber experiment were open-pollinated families from two Swedish seed orchards. The field trials were established with full-sib fami lies with the same parents. The genetic correlations between stem volume in the field progeny trials and height and biomass traits in the growth chamb er were mainly low or zero. There was no clear pattern of juvenile mature: correlations with respect to combinations of growth-chamber treatments, fie ld test site temperature and water availability. Periodic drought in the ju venile stage did not improve the juvenile-mature correlations, suggesting t hat at the juvenile stage, the mature stage, or both. the families used in this study do not appear to be specifically adapted to drought conditions.