GROWTH-ALLOMETRY RELATIONS IN SALIX SPECIES AND FAMILIES, HAVING DIFFERENT TREE FORM AND BEING UNDER DIFFERENT MATING DESIGN

Regression techniques were used to estimate biomass for different genetic entries in a breeding program. Growth (biomass production) in Salix amygdaloides and S. eriocephala was correlated to height of the major stem, basal diameter of the major stem, number of stems larger or equal to 1.5 cm, number of stems smaller than 1.5 cm. In S. amygdaloides (a tree-form willow), basal diameter alone was a good predictor of growth. In S. eriocephala (a shrub), height of the major stem and the number of stems greater or equal to 1.5 cm were the best estimators of growth. Simpler models were developed in S. amygdaloides families versus S. eriocephala families, and in full-sib families versus half-sib families.