Supplemental mass pollination in a seed orchard of Pinus Sylvestris L. investigated by isozyme analyses

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Abstract
Isozyme‐analysis techniques have been applied to test the efficiency of supplemental mass pollination in a seed orchard of Pinus Sylvestris. Mass pollination was done on one single occasion before the general pollen dispersal. The results of isozyme analyses of seed after mass pollination demonstrate that it is possible to introduce desirable genes into the seed orchard crop. Mass pollination without isolation of female strobili gave an average contribution of 4% to the total fertilizations and after isolation of female strobili 26.5%. The main conclusion is that supplemental mass pollination offers very interesting possibilities for breeding, particularly if some kind of isolation of the female flowers is made. It can increase the seed quality as well as improve the breeding value of the seed orchard. More attention should be paid to increasing the efficiency of the controlled pollination. It is suggested that in the future, more effort is invested in improving the technique of mass pollination.