Population studies of white spruce. I. Effects of self-pollination

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Abstract
The effects of self-pollination in white spruce, Piceaglauca (Moench) Voss, were examined in 20 trees in three populations. The most drastic effect is the increased frequency of empty seeds which averages over 90%, and is 5 to 22 times higher than that from comparable cross-pollinations. The average numbers of embryonic lethal equivalents, although highly variable for individual trees, averaged 8.0, 9.1, and 12.9 for the three populations. Self-pollination also resulted in slightly lower germination and reduced survival. The total number of lethal equivalents affecting seed yield, germination, and survival to age 17 years is estimated as 12.6. The effect of selfing on growth becomes evident at age 2 years and increases to age 17 years when seedlings from self-pollinations averaged 44.5% shorter and 63.7% smaller diameter than seedlings from unrelated matings.

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