| Abstract: | Twenty sets, each consisting of a tall, a medium, and a small plant, were selected from a 2 by 2‐year‐old nursery crop. Selection differential was measured. Cutting propagation was undertaken and the subsequent clones were tested in a field experiment. Differences between groups at age 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, and 10 were calculated, and ortet/ramet regressions and age‐to‐age correlations were conducted. Selection of the tall plants gave a response of approximately 17% at age 10. Accumulated genetic gain at this age by a specified stepwise selection procedure is estimated to 36%. Step one is the early selection in the nursery, step two is a later selection amongst the early selected clones and performed after 7 years’ field testing. Ageing of clones, selection for other traits and application of the clones over a variety of sites will reduce these gains. |
