Genetic variation of red spruce in the Maritimes

1988 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 703-709 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. P. Fowler ◽  
Y. S. Park ◽  
A. G. Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Tree Improvement ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Hybrid Origin ◽  
Diameter Growth ◽  
Hybrid Index ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Variation Pattern ◽  
Breeding Zone

Red spruce, Picearubens Sarg., from 30 provenances was tested over a 23-year period at six locations in the Maritimes Region of Canada. Twenty-eight of the provenances were from the Maritimes Region and two were from West Virginia. Hybrid index was used to distinguish pure red spruce from red–black spruce derivatives. Trees from three of the Maritimes provenances were considered to be of hybrid origin. These three provenances produced the fastest-growing trees in the tests. The genetic variation pattern, at the provenance level, in pure red spruce of Maritimes origin is not well defined. Use of seed from provenances identified as superior for reforestation would result in about 10% greater height and diameter growth than would be obtained from average seed. The use of seed of poor provenances could result in a corresponding loss of growth. Height at ages 10, 15, and 23 years and diameter at age 23 years were all strongly correlated, suggesting that superior provenances of red spruce can be identified at age 10. The Maritimes Region can be considered as a single breeding zone for tree improvement efforts with red spruce.

The Occurrence of Hybrid Swarms of Red and Black Spruces in Central New Brunswick

1972 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 381-391 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. A. M. Manley
Keyword(s):  
New Brunswick ◽  
Selection Pressure ◽  
Parental Species ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Hybrid Index ◽  
Site Preferences ◽  
Hybrid Swarms ◽  
Respective Characteristic ◽  
The Ideal

The data obtained by rating 50 plots in red × black spruce populations throughout central New Brunswick with a hybrid index indicate that red and black spruces have hybridized extensively. In the New Brunswick Lowland, gentle slopes and flat uplands form a continuum between characteristic habitats, permitting extensive contact between the two species. Where a considerable zone of contact was present, hybrid populations were established. Selection pressure is apparently strong, for despite the ideal opportunities for contact and the fertility of the hybrids, parental species remain phenotypically pure in their respective characteristic habitats (as far as these could be defined). The composition of hybrid populations was related to the extent of resemblance of 'intermediate' sites to parental site preferences. Introgressed black spruce predominated in hybrid populations, possibly due to the overriding influence of disturbances such as fire, logging, and damage to red spruce types by spruce budworm.

Causality in mortality patterns of spruce trees during a spruce budworm outbreak

1989 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 632-638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akira Osawa
Keyword(s):  
Species Complex ◽  
Close Relationships ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Spruce Budworm ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Hybrid Index ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Spruce Mortality

Patterns of tree mortality in the species complex of red spruce (Picearubens Sarg.), black spruce (Piceamariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) and their possible hybrids that developed during a spruce budworm (Choristoneurafumiferana (Clem.)) outbreak in Maine, U.S.A., were analyzed in relation to five hypotheses of their causal mechanisms. The observed patterns of spruce mortality were primarily a result of the phenotypic variation among the spruces. Close relationships among the mean hybrid index of spruce trees in a plot and such stand variables as balsam fir (Abiesbalsamea (L.) Mill.) basal area and drainage index are likely to have created coincidental correlations between tree mortality and those variables that do not necessarily reflect causality.

Morphometric, allometric, and developmentally adaptive traits in red spruce and black spruce. II. Seedling and mature tree assessment of controlled intra- and inter-specific hybrids

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 897-909 ◽  
Author(s):  
John E Major ◽  
Alex Mosseler ◽  
Debby C Barsi ◽  
Moira Campbell ◽  
Om P Rajora
Keyword(s):  
Black Spruce ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Male Parent ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Hybrid Index ◽  
Mature Tree ◽  
Mature Trees ◽  
Stem Wood ◽  
Species Effect

The objective of this study was to investigate the genetic nature of morphometric, allometric, and developmental traits in controlled intra- and inter-specific hybrid crosses of red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) and black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP). We examined 1-year-old greenhouse-grown seedlings and 22-year-old mature trees that were part of the same set of controlled crosses performed in the early 1970s. Seed weight had a strong female species effect. Mean cotyledon number and germination time had a very strong hybrid index effect. F1 interspecific hybrids showed negative heterosis in mature tree height, whereas hybrid index 25, a black spruce backcross, produced positive heterosis for seedling and mature tree height growth. Correlations of mean height of seedlings with mean height of mature trees on two sites were remarkably high (r = 0.918 and r = 0.968) when tested by hybrid index. Any cross having black spruce as the female or male parent had significantly higher height growth than those with red spruce as either female or male parent. Of the five hybrid indices, hybrid index 0 (black spruce) had the highest biomass allocation to stem wood and hybrid index 100 (red spruce) had the highest allocation to roots.

Negative heterosis not apparent in 22-year-old hybrids of Picea mariana and Picea rubens

1998 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 434-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kurt H Johnsen ◽  
John E Major ◽  
Judy Loo ◽  
Donald McPhee
Keyword(s):  
Gas Exchange ◽  
Picea Mariana ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Picea Rubens ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Hybrid Index ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Class 1 ◽  
Hybrid Class ◽  
Old Trees

Work from the 1970s indicated that, relative to either parent species, crosses between red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) and black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) were inferior with respect to both growth and photosynthesis. We re-examined the hypothesis that there is negative heterosis in hybrids of red and black spruce using 22-year-old trees in a common garden study planted on two sites. The trees were the product of controlled crossings and represent a continuum from hybrid class 0 (pure black spruce) to hybrid class 1 (pure red spruce). Progeny of all controlled crosses were measured for height and diameter. A subset of families were measured for gas exchange and were assessed using a hybrid index based on needle color, needle configuration, twig ridges, twig bark color, vegetative bud color, and cone scale morphology. Tree growth rate linearly declined with the increasing proportion of red spruce germplasm (increasing hybrid index). In 1994, intermediate hybrid index classes did not differ in gas exchange from either pure black spruce (hybrid index class 0) or pure red spruce (hybrid index class 1), and in 1996, hybrids displayed slightly higher rates of gas exchange. Thus, negative heterosis was not apparent in 22-year-old trees. Individual tree hybrid index generally agreed with expectation based on midparent means, although the relationship was stronger on the higher productivity site (r2 = 0.91) than the poorer productivity site (r2 = 0.54).Key words: black spruce, heterosis, hybrid, photosynthesis, red spruce.

Variation in the morphology and flowering time of cluster clover (Trifolium glomeratum L.) and its relationship to distribution in southern Australia

1995 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 1027 ◽  
Author(s):  
FP Smith ◽  
PS Cocks ◽  
MA Ewing
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Flowering Time ◽  
Seed Mass ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Summer Maximum ◽  
Maximum Temperatures ◽  
Pattern Of Variation ◽  
Growth Habits

Cluster clover is a widely distributed and ecologically successful introduced legume in southern Australia. In an attempt to understand the role of genetic variation in this success, morphological and physiological traits were measured in 94 accessions from southern Australia and 6 from the Mediterranean basin. Flowering time ranged from 105 to 185 days after sowing, but was not strongly correlated with annual rainfall or length of growing season at the site of collection. Variation in other traits partitioned the populations into two morphs which, apart from flowering time and leaf marker, were largely homogeneous. The morphs differed significantly in floret number per inflorescence (22 v. 32-37) and seed mass (379 8g v. 523 8g), had different growth habits and strong within-morph associations between leaf markers and stipule and petal coloration. The morphs differed in their distributions within southern Australia and the pattern of distribution was related to summer maximum temperatures, winter minimum temperatures and spring rainfall. These results demonstrate that genetic variation has been important to the success of cluster clover and suggests that the variation is organized. The pattern of variation observed and its relationship to ecogeography is consistent with findings for other highly inbreeding species. A map of the species distribution in Western Australia is presented.

Direct seeding of black spruce in northwestern Ontario: Seedbed relationships

1994 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. L. Fleming ◽  
D. S. Mossa
Keyword(s):  
Seedling Establishment ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Direct Seeding ◽  
First Year ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Seedling Mortality ◽  
Northwestern Ontario ◽  
Seedbed Preparation

A series of spot seeding experiments was set out on coarse-textured upland sites in northwestern Ontario to investigate how black spruce (Picea mariana [Mill.] B.S.P.) seedling establishment and growth could be improved by site selection and seedbed preparation. Virtually all germination occurred within the first growing season. Annual seedling mortality rates were greatest during the first year, then declined steadily and stabilized at low levels (<10%) after the third year. The highest fifth-year establishment ratios (seedlings/viable seed sown) were found on seedbeds derived from materials near the mineral soil/humus interface. On wetter sites (i.e., higher Soil Moisture Regimes) the best seedbeds occurred closer to the soil surface. Mean fifth year establishment ratios for the best seedbeds were 0.032 on moderately fresh to fresh sites, 0.146 on very fresh to moderately moist sites, and 0.082 on moist to very moist sites. On adjacent lowland sites, slow-growing, compact Sphagnum mosses had a mean establishment ratio of 0.179. Mean fifth-year seedling heights on upland sites ranged from 12 to 14 cm, and were not strongly correlated with site or seedbed type. Key words: direct seeding, black spruce, seedbed, seedling establishment, site type and germination

Commercialization potential of somatic embryogenesis in black spruce tree improvement

1994 ◽  
Vol 70 (5) ◽  
pp. 593-598 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. W. Adams ◽  
M. G. Doiron ◽  
Y. S. Park ◽  
J. M. Bonga ◽  
P. J. Charest
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Embryogenesis ◽  
Clonal Propagation ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Tree Improvement ◽  
Embryogenic Tissue ◽  
Improvement Program ◽  
Mature Embryos ◽  
Somatic Plants ◽  
Number Of Individuals ◽  
Potential Tool

The somatic embryogenesis process was evaluated as a potential tool for operational vegetative propagation using individuals from families currently used in the J.D. Irving, Ltd. black spruce tree improvement program. Most families were responsive although the number of individuals within families capable of producing embryogenic tissue (ET) varied greatly (1–70%). Seventy-four percent of the ET clones produced mature embryos and most of these germinated. Greenhouse survival was initially low (11%) but improved in subsequent experiments to 45% as growing regimes were refined. Demonstration plantings of the resulting somatic plants were established at two sites in New Brunswick. A total of 206 clones were cryopreserved. The potential for integrating somatic embryogenesis techniques into tree improvement and stock production programs is discussed. Key words: tree improvement, somatic embryogenesis, clonal propagation, black spruce, biotechnology

Natural hybridization between black spruce and red spruce

1997 ◽  
Vol 6 (8) ◽  
pp. 725-734 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Perron ◽  
J. Bousquet
Keyword(s):  
Black Spruce ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Natural Hybridization

Hybridization between Picearubens and Piceamariana: differences observed between montane and coastal island populations

1996 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 444-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael S. Bobola ◽  
Kimberly A. Hillenberg ◽  
Steve B. Gendreau ◽  
Robert T. Eckert ◽  
Anita S. Klein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Discriminant Function ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Nuclear Ribosomal Dna ◽  
Island Populations ◽  
Provenance Test ◽  
Chloroplast Haplotypes ◽  
Natural Stands ◽  
Hybridization And Introgression ◽  
Mount Washington

Foliage was collected from natural stands of montane and island red spruce (Picearubens Sarg.) and black spruce (Piceamariana (Mill.) BSP) to examine within- and among-population genetic variation. Samples were scored for frequencies of nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) alleles, and mitochondrial and chloroplast haplotypes. Samples were classified as red spruce, black spruce, or hybrid using two molecular methods: a three-character discriminant function based on molecular markers or a three-character molecular index. These results were found to be highly congruent with classification based upon a discriminant function using morphological traits. Among montane populations, hybridization and introgression between red and black spruce did not appear to be a major factor in the observed patterns of variation on elevational transects on Mount Washington and Mount Lafayette, N.H. However, extensive hybridization and introgression were detected among populations on Isle au Haut, Maine. The Mount Lafayette population displayed low variation in rDNA alleles compared with populations on Mount Washington and a range-wide provenance test in Stewartstown, N.H.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document