Field performance and early test results of offspring from two Norway spruce seed orchards containing clones transferred to warmer climates

We present results from early tests and field trials of offspring from two Norway spruce ( Picea abies (L.) Karst.) seed orchards containing clones that have been transferred from high altitudes to sea level and from northern to southern latitudes. Seedlings from seeds produced in the low-altitude seed orchard developed frost hardiness later at the end of the growth season, flushed later in field trials, and grew taller than seedlings from seeds produced in natural stands. They had the lowest mortality rate and the lowest frequency of injuries in the field trials. Similar results were observed in seedlings from seeds produced in the southern seed orchard. We found no adverse effects of the changed growth rhythm. Seedlings from two seed crops in the southern orchard, produced in years with a warm and a cold summer, had different annual growth rhythms. The results are explained mainly by the effects of the climatic conditions during the reproductive phase. Seed crops from different years in the same seed orchard may produce seedlings that perform as if they were from different provenances. It is argued that the effects of the climatic conditions during seed production must contribute to the variation among provenances of Norway spruce.

Download Full-text

Comparison of Genetic Diversity in Naturally Regenerated Norway Spruce Stands and Seed Orchard Progeny Trials

Forests ◽

10.3390/f10100926 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 926 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Dainis Ruņģis ◽

Solveiga Luguza ◽

Endijs Bāders ◽

Vilnis Šķipars ◽

Āris Jansons

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Norway Spruce ◽

Gene Diversity ◽

Seed Orchard ◽

Seed Orchards ◽

Spruce Stands ◽

Ssr Loci ◽

Naturally Regenerated Stands ◽

Average Gene ◽

Environmental Events

Forest ecosystems in Europe are expected to experience changes in temperature and water regimes associated with increased risks of extreme environmental events and disasters. Genetic diversity and relatedness has been linked to resilience of forest stands and landscapes. Genetic diversity indicators were compared between a Norway spruce population naturally regenerated after extensive windthrow and Norway spruce progeny populations derived from two seed orchards. In addition, genetic diversity in an undisturbed stand in a long established national park and a spruce genetic resource stand were analyzed. Populations were genotyped at 11 simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci. Average genetic diversity indicators were similar across populations. However, the total number of alleles, average number of alleles over all loci, effective number of alleles, average gene diversity, and average allelic richness were highest in the naturally regenerated population and lowest in one of the seed orchard progeny populations. The genetic diversity in progeny from seed orchards used for stand renewal is comparable to the genetic diversity in naturally regenerated stands. However, fluctuations in seed production between years can have a large impact on genetic diversity in seed orchard progeny. The use of improved Norway spruce germplasm deployed via clonal seed orchards for forest renewal can maintain similar levels of genetic diversity compared to naturally regenerated stands, while also increasing production and timber quality.

Download Full-text

Factors affecting pollen dynamics and its importance to pollen contamination: a review

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x91-163 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 21 (8) ◽

pp. 1155-1170 ◽

Cited By ~ 101

Author(s):

F. Di-Giovanni ◽

P. G. Kevan

Keyword(s):

Gene Flow ◽

Pollen Dispersal ◽

Past Research ◽

Seed Orchard ◽

Dispersal Pattern ◽

Seed Orchards ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Pollen Contamination ◽

Modelling Techniques ◽

Natural Stands

Pollen contamination causes major losses to genetic improvement from selection and breeding of "plus" trees in conifer seed orchards. Genetic losses arise by the influx of "wild" conspecific pollen into seed orchards and its deleterious fertilization of superior genetic lines. This review firstly addresses the basis of the problem: pollen, conifer reproduction, and the concept of seed orchard management, especially in regard to reduction of contamination. Secondly, the physical processes of pollen liberation, dispersal, and deposition are described, and examples of previous studies illuminating these phenomena given. Thirdly, past research on measuring pollen dispersal in natural stands and seed orchards in discussed in the light of modelling techniques used to predict these types of dispersal pattern. Work on the other facets of contamination measurement, gene-flow studies, are listed. It is concluded that a detailed study that combines both the physical and gene-flow aspects of pollen dispersal should be initiated to compare and contrast the two methods, and that attempts to model pollen contamination should be sought.

Download Full-text

Clonal-row versus random seed orchard designs: interior spruce mating system evaluation

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x06-248 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 37 (3) ◽

pp. 690-696 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Y.A. El-Kassaby ◽

M.U. Stoehr ◽

D. Reid ◽

C.G. Walsh ◽

T.E. Lee

Keyword(s):

Mating System ◽

Minor Component ◽

Slight Modification ◽

Seed Orchard ◽

Outcrossing Rate ◽

Genetic Quality ◽

Seed Orchards ◽

Interior Spruce ◽

Seed Crops ◽

A Minor

Mating system pattern (selfing or outcrossing and correlated matings levels) comparisons between two interior spruce seed orchard designs (clonal-row and random) managed under intensive crown and pollen management were conducted. Crown manipulation consisted of tree topping and branch pruning, while pollen management involved multiple supplemental mass-pollination applications during peak seed-cone reproductive receptivity and pollen agitation using helicopters. Significant differences between orchards’ multilocus outcrossing rate estimates were observed, and both estimates significantly departed from complete outcrossing (t = 1.0). Clonal arrangements in the clonal-row design permitted higher chances for selfing (t = 0.948) in comparison with those of the random design (t = 0.989). Intensive pollen management, while effective, still produced a minor component of selfing. Both orchard designs produced similar individual tree's outcrossing rate trends with the majority showing high outcrossing, while few individuals showed high selfing propensity. Estimates of correlated mating varied substantially between the two seed orchard designs with 9.3% and 4.3% for the clonal-row and random seed orchards, respectively. While small but significant differences in the genetic quality of the seed crops were observed between the two orchard designs, the establishment of clonal-row seed orchards should be given serious considerations specifically under committed pollen and crown management. The ease of crop and orchard management in the clonal-row design outweighs the observed differences in the seed crop genetic quality. A slight modification to the clonal-row design is proposed and is expected to reduce the observed minor genetic quality differences between the two orchard designs.

Download Full-text

Carbofuran Trials in a Red Pine Seed Orchard

Northern Journal of Applied Forestry ◽

10.1093/njaf/4.4.177 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 4 (4) ◽

pp. 177-180 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Peter A. Rush ◽

Ronald P. Overton ◽

Raymond P. Guries ◽

David J. Hall ◽

Robert S. Perry

Keyword(s):

Active Ingredient ◽

Seed Orchard ◽

Field Trials ◽

Tree Improvement ◽

Red Pine ◽

Seed Orchards ◽

Tree Diameter ◽

Improvement Programs ◽

Seed Yields

Abstract Seed and cone insects can drastically reduce seed yields from pine seed orchards and consequently reduce the profitability of entire tree improvement programs. Liquid and granular formulations of carbofuran both controlled the eastern pine seedworm, the red pine coneworm, the webbing coneworm, and a cone resin midge in field trials at a red pine seed orchard in southern Wisconsin. Both formulations substantially reduced the frequency of insect attacks when applied at the rate of 0.8 oz of active ingredient per inch of tree diameter. The percent of cones attacked by insects declined from 96% in untreated trees to 32% in trees treated with granular carbofuran and 11% in trees treated with liquid carbofuran. Some phytotoxicity was noted on trees treated with liquid carbofuran; phytotoxicity was much less apparent on trees treated with the granular formulation. Label amendments have been made to allow the operational use of carbofuran in northern pine seed orchards, and this may make northern tree improvement programs more profitable. North. J. Appl. For. 4:177-180, Dec. 1987.

Download Full-text

Crossing Success in Abies nordmanniana Following Artificial Pollination With a Pollen Mixture of A. nordmanniana and A. alba

Silvae Genetica ◽

10.1515/sg-2008-0011 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 57 (1-6) ◽

pp. 70-76 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

O. K. Hansen ◽

U. B. Nielsen

Keyword(s):

Abies Alba ◽

Seed Orchard ◽

Reproductive Barriers ◽

Seed Orchards ◽

Abies Nordmanniana ◽

Pollen Mixture ◽

Set Up ◽

Mating Interaction ◽

Seed Crops ◽

Siring Success

AbstractControlled crossings were conducted with three Abies nordmanniana genotypes acting as mothers and a pollen mixture of three Abies nordmanniana genotypes and one Abies alba genotype acting as potential fathers. The aim was to investigate hybridization success under circumstances where pollen from both species are present, which is a potential risk in Danish clonal seed orchards of Abies nordmanniana. The number of seeds sired by each father was determined through SSRs and compared to the expected numbers based on the pollen mixture composition. All three mother genotypes of Abies nordmanniana had more progenies with the Abies alba as father (hybrids) than expected, based on proportions in the pollen mix. This indicates that no reproductive barriers between the two species exist, and that seed orchard managers should take precautions to avoid hybrids in seed crops. Furthermore, the experiments revealed quite different siring success of the three Abies nordmanniana genotypes, depending on which clone was the mother. Abies nordmanniana seed orchards should therefore not be established in the vicinity of Abies alba in the flowering age, and if a few-clone set up is chosen, the mating interaction should be investigated beforehand through pollen mix experiments.

Download Full-text

Seed productivity and variability of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) clones of Finnish origin in seed orchard in the central part of Ukraine

Folia Forestalia Polonica ◽

10.2478/ffp-2020-0001 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 62 (1) ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Ihor Neyko ◽

Olena Kolchanova ◽

Veronika Monarkh ◽

Svitlana Poznyakova

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Scots Pine ◽

Local Population ◽

Seed Orchard ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Reproductive Capacity ◽

Seed Productivity ◽

Seed Orchards ◽

Clonal Seed Orchard ◽

The Mean

AbstractGlobal climate change has mainly impacted the forest ecosystems in Europe. Today, it is not fully understood how these changes will affect the reproductive process of trees on seed orchards. The main aim of the study is to evaluate the growth, condition and reproductive function of Scots pine clones of Finnish origin after moving them to the southern direction of natural distribution area. Variability and seed productivity of 25-year-old clones of Scots pine of Finnish origin in the clonal seed orchard under climatic conditions of the central part of Ukraine (Vinnitsa region) was investigated. Grafted seedlings of Scots pine of Finnish origin were moved southward at a distance of over 1,500 km. Climatic conditions of Vinnytsia region, where the clones were displaced, differed by an increase in the mean and maximum temperatures by 3.3–3.6ºC, as well as an increase in the mean temperatures during the cold period and a rise in the minimum by 2.1–2.3ºC. The climate in the seed orchard location was characterized by the most significant increase in the mean temperatures in April and May (5.3–5.8ºC), which greatly influenced the intensity of the formation of microstrobili and macrostrobili. The ratio of precipitation to the amount of temperatures decreased more than twice. Analysis of the grafted trees’ vitality of Finnish origin and seed progeny of the local population, estimation of their intensity (height, diameter), state (category of the state) and reproductive processes (intensity of formation of microstrobili and cones) was carried out on the clonal seed orchard. In conditions of climate change, most of the clones of Finnish origin were characterized by a higher intensity of flowering compared to the local population. Some clones of Finnish origin (E80 and E729) dominated the local population by the seed yield. According to a comprehensive analysis of vitality, the intensity of growth and reproductive capacity, the best clones of Finnish origin were E80, E1883 and E2254. Low adaptive ability was noted in the clones E2312, K634 and K801. According to the research results, it was found that changes in climatic conditions did not significantly affect the vitality, development and condition of the clones. There was observed intensification of the formation of microstrobili and cones. Seed viability and quality of Scots pine of Finnish origin obtained on seed orchards located in the southern conditions requires further research.

Download Full-text

Variation in Platycladus orientalis (Cupressaceae) Reproductive Output and Its Effect on Seed Orchard Crops’ Genetic Diversity

Forests ◽

10.3390/f12111429 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (11) ◽

pp. 1429

Author(s):

Siqian Jiao ◽

Meiyu Li ◽

Yuanjiao Zhu ◽

Shanshan Zhou ◽

Shiwei Zhao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Reproductive Output ◽

First Generation ◽

Seed Orchard ◽

Effective Number ◽

Ecological Value ◽

Seed Orchards ◽

Platycladus Orientalis ◽

Fertility Variation ◽

Seed Crops

The genetic efficiency of seed orchards is crucial for determining seed crops’ genetic gain and diversity. Platycladus orientalis is a conifer tree of important ecological value in China. Here, we assessed the reproductive output (fertility) variation for 166 clones in a first-generation P. orientalis seed orchard over five years and across three years for each gender (female: 2017, 2018, and 2020 and male: 2017, 2019, and 2021). Fertility variation and genetic diversity parameters were estimated for each gender-year combination. The reproductive output (fertility) variation differed among years, provinces, clones nested within provinces, and ramets within clones. We observed asymmetry in the gender reproductive output and parental imbalance and determined their profound effects on the genetic diversity of these seed crops. The maleness index revealed the existence of female-biased or male-biased clones. When seeds from multiple individuals and years were blended, we found an increase in the effective number of parents (Np) and in genetic diversity (GD), and a reduced fertility variation (Ψ) in the seed orchard. When we set the effective number of parents (Np) to 30, the GD of the seed orchard could be maintained at more than 95%. Thus, achieving genetic diversity balance in seed production can be accomplished through monitoring the fertility variation of orchards and through the utilization of the thereby generated information for the advanced generation of seed orchards.

Download Full-text

Assessment of the potential of Norway-spruce-seed-orchard associated plants to serve as alternate hosts of Thekopsora areolata

Silva Fennica ◽

10.14214/sf.10446 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 55 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Juha Kaitera ◽

Tuomas Kauppila ◽

Jarkko Hantula

Keyword(s):

Norway Spruce ◽

Seed Orchard ◽

Common Species ◽

Ground Vegetation ◽

Alternate Host ◽

Alternate Hosts ◽

Seed Orchards ◽

Ground Flora ◽

Detached Leaves ◽

Young Leaves

The alternate host range of cherry-spruce rust is poorly studied although such information could be important in protecting spruce seed orchards from infections. Pathogenicity of cherry-spruce rust, (Fr.) Magnus, was investigated on potential alternate host species in a greenhouse and in a laboratory in Finland. Five common species of Ericaceae, L., L., L., L. and (L.) Spreng, were inoculated in the greenhouse using aeciospores from seven Norway spruce [ (L.) H. Karst.] seed orchards suffering from in 2018. In addition, young detached leaves of spp. and 17 other plant species of ground vegetation from eight Norway spruce seed orchards were inoculated with aeciospores from six seed orchards in the laboratory in 2019. Also, young leaves of L. trees growing within the seed orchards or close to them were inoculated as controls. None of the inoculated leaves of the potential alternate hosts formed uredinia either in the greenhouse or in the laboratory. In contrast, leaves of from the seed orchards were infected by the six spore sources from six seed orchards and produced uredinia. As spores were able to infect only , but not the other tested species belonging to ground flora, it was concluded that disperses only via spp. in Finnish seed orchards.Thekopsora areolataVaccinium myrtillusV. uliginosumV. vitis-idaeaEmpetrum nigrumArctostaphylos uva-ursiPicea abiesT. areolataVacciniumPrunus padusP. padusT. areolataP. padusT. areolataPrunus

Download Full-text

Performance of Japanese and Hybrid Larch Progenies in Pennsylvania

Northern Journal of Applied Forestry ◽

10.1093/njaf/11.2.53 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 53-57 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

James J. Zaczek ◽

Kim C. Steiner ◽

R. D. Shipman

Keyword(s):

Growth Rate ◽

Seed Orchard ◽

Japanese Larch ◽

The Other ◽

High Survival ◽

Seed Orchards ◽

Plus Tree ◽

Progeny Tests ◽

Natural Stands ◽

Better Than

Abstract Two series of larch progeny tests were established at three locations in Pennsylvania in the spring of 1984. The Penn Orchard series contained progenies of 24 "plus-tree" Japanese larch clones growing in a seed orchard in Pennsylvania, two production seedlots of Japanese larch, and two lots of Japanese x European larch hybrids. The Westvaco test contained 5 hybrid seedlots and 15 seedlots of Japanese larch originating from 9 seed orchards (including Penn "A" Orchard), 5 plantations, and one natural stand. After 7 yr, only one site was clearly ideal for Japanese larch, having produced both rapid growth (0.83 and 0.99 m/yr) and high survival. Survival or growth was considerably lower at the other two sites, probably because of both seasonally excessive and deficient soil moisture. Hybrid lots were significantly shorter than others at the best site; they tended to survive significantly better than Japanese larch at the other two sites, but they did not necessarily grow taller. Progenies from seed orchards were not significantly faster growing than those from plantations or natural stands (Westvaco test); and progenies from select trees in the Penn Orchard test were not significantly faster growing than production lots. Although genetic effects on 7 yr height were significant in most individual plantations, few seedlots could be statistically distinguished as superior or inferior in growth rate. Seedlot pedigree had much less influence on growth rate or survival than did choice of site. North. J. Appl. For. 11(2):53-57.

Download Full-text

Determination of paternal and maternal parentage in lodgepole pine seed: full versus partial pedigree reconstruction

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/cjfr-2014-0145 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 44 (9) ◽

pp. 1122-1127 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Tomas Funda ◽

Cherdsak Liewlaksaneeyanawin ◽

Yousry A. El-Kassaby

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Success ◽

Lodgepole Pine ◽

Seed Orchard ◽

Simultaneous Estimation ◽

Male Reproductive Success ◽

Pedigree Reconstruction ◽

Chloroplast Microsatellite ◽

Seed Orchards ◽

Reconstruction Methods ◽

Seed Crops

Estimating seed orchards’ maternal and paternal gametic contributions is of importance in assessing the genetic quality of seed crops. The advantage of full over partial pedigree reconstruction in investigating the mating dynamics in a lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex. Loud. ssp. latifolia Engelm.) seed orchard population (N = 74) was demonstrated using nuclear and chloroplast microsatellite markers. We analyzed offspring of equivalent sample sizes representing full (bulk seed with unknown maternal and paternal parentage (n = 635)) and partial (11 maternal family arrays (n = 619)) pedigree reconstruction methods. Small differences in selfing rate, gene flow, and male reproductive success were observed between the two methods; however, the full pedigree reconstruction enabled simultaneous estimation of female-related fertility parameters (female reproductive success and effective number of maternal parents) that partial pedigree reconstruction could not provide. The use of bulk random sample of seed from orchards’ crops is recommended when male and female fertility parameters, as well as selfing and contamination rates, are needed for seed orchards’ seed crops genetic rating.

Download Full-text