Climate-related genetic variation in drought-resistance of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)

Abstract Seventy-seven seedling populations of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca) sampled from near the Continental Divide in Idaho and Montana exhibited pronounced genetic differences when compared in three common environments. Differentiation involved several traits that are components of an annual developmental cycle that must be completed within a growing season of finite length. Consequently, the elevational and geographic dines of genetic variation tend to parallel variation in the length of the growing season at the seed source. Such clines suggest that maladaptation in artificial reforestation can be controlled by limiting the transfer of seeds. While geographic transfers can be relatively liberal, elevational transfers should be limited to ±90 m (300 ft) from the seed source at elevations below 1,400 m (4,600 ft), to ±125 m (410 ft) for elevations between 1,400 and 2,000 m (4,600 and 6,550 ft), and ±200 m (560 ft) for elevations above 2,000 m (6,550 ft). West. J. Appl. For. 3(4):101-105, October 1988.

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Incorporating genetic variation into a model of budburst phenology of coast Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii)

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x10-191 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 41 (1) ◽

pp. 139-150 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Peter J. Gould ◽

Constance A. Harrington ◽

J. Bradley St. Clair

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Genetic Variation ◽

Pseudotsuga Menziesii ◽

Douglas Fir ◽

Mitigation Strategies ◽

Summer Drought ◽

Clinal Variation ◽

Local Environments ◽

Main Components ◽

Chilling Units

Models to predict budburst and other phenological events in plants are needed to forecast how climate change may impact ecosystems and for the development of mitigation strategies. Differences among genotypes are important to predicting phenological events in species that show strong clinal variation in adaptive traits. We present a model that incorporates the effects of temperature and differences among genotypes to predict the timing of budburst of coast Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii (Mirb.) Franco). The main components of the model are (i) functions to calculate the accumulation of chilling units (CU) and forcing units (FU) during dormancy and (ii) a function defining the combinations of CU and FU needed for budburst (the possibility line). The possibility line was fit to data from 59 populations subjected to eight different winter environments. Differences among populations were incorporated into the possibility line using population coefficients that vary the FU required for budburst. Correlations among the population coefficients and variables describing local environments supported the hypothesis that genetic variation in budburst is largely an adaptation to summer drought. The new model can be used to test potential seed transfers as a strategy to mitigate some of the effects of climate change.

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Assessing the relationship between height growth and molecular genetic variation in Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) provenances

European Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1007/s10342-016-0946-y ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 135 (3) ◽

pp. 465-481 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Charalambos Neophytou ◽

Anna-Maria Weisser ◽

Daniel Landwehr ◽

Muhidin Šeho ◽

Ulrich Kohnle ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Variation ◽

Pseudotsuga Menziesii ◽

Molecular Genetic ◽

Height Growth ◽

Douglas Fir ◽

Molecular Genetic Variation ◽

The Relationship

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Assessing the relationship between height growth and molecular genetic variation in Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) provenances

10.1101/039818 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Charalambos Neophytou ◽

Anna-Maria Weisser ◽

Daniel Landwehr ◽

Muhidin Šeho ◽

Ulrich Kohnle ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Genetic Variation ◽

Genetic Differentiation ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Pseudotsuga Menziesii ◽

Phenotypic Variation ◽

Microsatellite Loci ◽

Variety Versus ◽

Height Growth ◽

Douglas Fir

Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) is a conifer tree native to western North America. In central Europe, it shows superior growth performance and is considered a suitable substitute for tree species impaired in vitality due to climate change. Maintenance and improvement of growth performance in a changing environment is a main challenge for forest tree breeders. In this context, genetic variation as a factor underlying phenotypic variation, but also as the basis for future adaptation, is of particular interest. The aims of this study were to analyse (i) genetic diversity of selected Douglas-fir provenances, (ii) variation in height growth among provenances, and (iii) to assess the link between genetic and phenotypic variation height growth. Genotyping was done on microsatellite loci. Effects of provenance, genotype, and site on height growth were assessed by fitting mixed linear models. The most significant genetic differentiation was observed between provenances of the coastal variety, versus a provenance of the interior variety originating from British Columbia. Although genetic differentiation among provenances of the coastal variety was lower, genetic structures within this variety were identified. Moreover, genetic diversity showed a latitudinal gradient with the southernmost provenances being more diverse, probably reflecting the species' evolutionary history. The modelling approach revealed that height growth differed significantly by provenance, site, and the interaction between site and provenance, demonstrating that height growth is under strong genetic control. Additionally, this analysis showed that genetic variation captured by the genotyped microsatellite loci was significantly related to variation in height growth, providing statistical evidence for a genetic component in the observed phenotypic variation.

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Metabolite profiling of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) field trials reveals strong environmental and weak genetic variation

New Phytologist ◽

10.1111/j.1469-8137.2007.02046.x ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 174 (4) ◽

pp. 762-773 ◽

Cited By ~ 42

Author(s):

Andrew R. Robinson ◽

Nicholas K. Ukrainetz ◽

Kyu-Young Kang ◽

Shawn D. Mansfield

Keyword(s):

Genetic Variation ◽

Pseudotsuga Menziesii ◽

Metabolite Profiling ◽

Field Trials ◽

Douglas Fir

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Genetic variation and seed zones of Douglas-fir in the Siskiyou National Forest.

10.2737/pnw-rp-461 ◽

1993 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Robert K. Campbell ◽

Albert I. Sugano

Keyword(s):

Genetic Variation ◽

Douglas Fir ◽

National Forest ◽

Seed Zones

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Pathogenicity and Virulence of Pythium Species Obtained from Forest Nursery Soils on Douglas-Fir Seedlings

Plant Disease ◽

10.1094/pdis-09-12-0895-re ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 97 (6) ◽

pp. 744-748 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Jerry E. Weiland ◽

Bryan R. Beck ◽

Anne Davis

Keyword(s):

Pseudotsuga Menziesii ◽

Seedling Survival ◽

The United States ◽

Douglas Fir ◽

Tree Seedlings ◽

Pythium Species ◽

Forest Nursery ◽

Damping Off ◽

Greenhouse Study ◽

Forest Nurseries

Pythium species are common soilborne oomycetes that occur in forest nursery soils throughout the United States. Numerous species have been described from nursery soils. However, with the exception of P. aphanidermatum, P. irregulare, P. sylvaticum, and P. ultimum, little is known about the potential for other Pythium species found in nursery soils to cause damping-off of tree seedlings. A greenhouse study was conducted to evaluate the pathogenicity and virulence of 44 Pythium isolates representing 16 species that were originally recovered from soil at three forest nurseries in Washington and Oregon. Seeds of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) were planted into soil infested with each of the isolates. Seedling survival, the number of surviving seedlings with necrotic root lesions, and taproot length were evaluated 4 weeks later. Responses of Douglas-fir to inoculation varied significantly depending on Pythium species and isolate. Eight species (P. dissotocum, P. irregulare, P. aff. macrosporum, P. mamillatum, P. aff. oopapillum, P. rostratifingens, P. sylvaticum, and P. ultimum var. ultimum) significantly reduced the number of surviving seedlings compared to the noninoculated treatment. However, all Pythium species caused a greater percentage of seedlings to develop root lesions (total mean 40%) than was observed from noninoculated seedlings (17%). Taproot length varied little among Pythium treatments and was not a useful character for evaluating pathogenicity. Results confirm the ability of P. irregulare, P. mamillatum, and P. ultimum var. ultimum to cause damping-off of Douglas-fir seedlings, and are indicative that other species such as P. dissotocum, P. aff. macrosporum, P. aff. oopapillum, P. rostratifingens, and P. sylvaticum may also be responsible for seedling loss.

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