Abstract: An investigation was undertaken in the variations in rooting ability of Larix leptolepis(Sieb.et Zucc.)Gord.using fullsunshine and auto-spray system. The materials used were softwood cuttings which were taken from 10seedlings,at 6.5 year age,of each half-sib families of L.leptolepis and from 140 plants,at 10.5 year age,of two hybrids between L.leptolepis×L.principisrupprechtii Mayr and L.olgensis Henry,respectively.The research results showed that significant phenotypic variations existed in genetic variance,heritability and rooting rates between different families and clones, however,the variations between clones within a family were even more significant than those between families. Therefore,the combined selection based on the performances of both family and clone would be better than that based on family or clone means.Genetic gains could be estimated with combined selection of multitraits.Rooting percentage could be ncreasad by 47.5% through selecting 15% of the best clones other than using the overall mean of 140 individual clones.

Key words: Larix leptolepis, Cuttings, Rooting characteristics