Abstract:To understand the variation characteristics of timber traits among Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) families, the phenotypic diversity analysis and comprehensive evaluation of 10 growth indexes of 14 families were studied by using methods of variance analysis, cluster analysis, principal component analysis. The results showed that the phenotypic diversity indexes of 10 main timber traits in 14 families ranged from 1.438 to 2.008 with an average of 1.735, among which the highest was height, and the smallest was tracheid length. The phenotypic diversity was rich, height, diameter at breast height, volume, length-width ratio and green density had strong genetic variability, and there was a certain correlation among traits. The family heritability (H2) ranged from 0.012 to 0.934, the largest was length-width ratio, and the smallest was green density. The phenotypic variation coefficient varied from 3.81% to 39.90% with an average of 15.03%, the biggest and smallest were volume and tracheid cavity to width ratio, respectively, indicating that the genetic improvement potential was great. The 14 Chinese fir families could be divided into three major groups, group III had the best comprehensive traits, and group I had the best growth. The top 3 families for growth traits were JX3, JX10, JX2. Therefore, the phenotypic diversity of the 10 main timber traits was rich, and the top 3 families could be used as excellent materials for the conservation and efficient utilization of Chinese fir germplasm.
