Genetic variation in traits important for energy utilization of sand and slash pines

Half-sib families of Choctawhatchee sand pine and slash pine were utilized to estimate genetic variation for a number of biomass traits. Variation among families was observed for many traits, although significant differences were not detected for several traits due in part to limited sample size. Heritabilities of biomass quantity traits were moderate to high, and estimated genetic gains from parent plus family selection were appreciable.