Genetic variation in progenies of 23 relic trees of Metasequoia glyptostroboides in their original habitat

Seeds of 23 relic Metasequoia glyptostroboides trees were randomly collected from their original, natural populations found in Lichuan City, Hubei Province, China. The seed characteristics and growth of their three-year-old progenies were investigated. Results show that the average intra-family coefficient of variation (CV) in height growth of the 23 three-year-old families was 14.53%, slightly higher than that of the inter-family CV (14.02%). Correspondingly, these two parameters for root-collar diameter growth were 15.44% and 13.15%. The 23 relic mother trees were significantly differed in their general combining abilities (GCA) and relative effect values of GCA (RGCA) of height growth and root-collar diameter growth over the three years. Both height and root-collar diameter growth had high family heritability in this seedling stage. After eliminating two inferior families, i.e., 15 and 46, 2.21% of genetic gain in height growth was obtained and 1.50% in root-collar diameter growth. It was also significantly different in crown size and number of branches among the 23 three-year-old seedling families. From a cluster analysis we concluded that eight families, i.e., 23, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 35 and 44 displayed superior GCA and RGCA in both height and root-collar diameter growth. Therefore, these relic mother trees displayed their potential as parents in seed orchards. With the exception of family 23, the other seven superior families were all collected at Guihua Village, Zhonglu Town, Lichuan City, which has been identified as an optimum district of M. glyptostroboides for seed collection.