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

Two experiments (Expt 1. Expt 2) with supplemental mass pollination (SMP) were carried out in a seed orchard of Pinus sylvestris L. in order to assess the biological and operational prospects for SMP. The success 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 estimated success rates for treatments varied between 66%, and 84%. When supplemental pollination was done at peak receptivity, one single pollination was enough to obtain high success rates. In Expt 2 the pollen mix was dusted over clusters of receptive strobili on whole-trees. The estimated success rates for treatments varied between 10% and 23%. The success rates improved when the trees were pollinated on more than one occasion per day during the receptive period. The overall conclusion is that SMP is practical for P. sylvestris seed orchards.