Assessment of growth and productivity of Scots pine provenance tests in the Arkhangelsk region in 39-year

Впервые для региона изучены выживаемость, рост и продуктивность климатипов сосны обыкновенной в 39-летних географических культурах государственной сети (Плесецкий район Архангельской области). Прослежены особенности перераспределения климатипов в коллекции, отобраны лучшие потомства для использования для лесовосстановления в пределах региона испытания. Установлено, что северные потомства (северная и средняя подзоны тайги), отличающиеся в I классе возраста высокой приживаемостью, во II классе возраста начали процесс дифференциации, который привел к снижению показателя почти в два раза. К концу II класса возраста наблюдается выравнивание потомств климатипов по высоте, при сохранении различий, связанных с происхождением, по диаметру. Наиболее крупные диаметры стволов имеют южнотаежные потомства, а также из северной подзоны смешанных лесов, отличающиеся самыми низкими показатели приживаемости и качеством стволов. Установлена прямая зависимость показателя Н/Д с приживаемостью, связанная с усилением роста климатипов по диаметру, увеличением сбежистости и искривленности стволов, формированием низкоопущенных крон. Показано, что в культурах II класса возраста сохраняются значительные корреляционные связи показателей роста и приживаемости с географическими координатами и климатическими характеристиками мест исходных насаждений, в то время как с запасом связь теряется. С использованием подхода оценки в единицах стандартного отклонения отобраны лучшие по продуктивности (запасу) климатипы: местный плесецкий, пинежский, вологодский, а также климатипы из Карелии. Исходные насаждения этих потомств входят в ареал, ограниченный 60–65° с.ш., 36–44° в.д. Для использования в лесовосстановлении в Архангельской области следует полностью исключить использование семян из насаждений Урала и Сибири. На европейской части страны рекомендовать к использованию семена, заготовленные в трех лесосеменных районах: Южнокарельский, Двинско-Мезенский и Верхнедвинский, ограничив перемещение семян на расстояние не более 300 км. For the first time for the region, the survival, growth and productivity of scots pine climates in 39-year-old provenance test of the state network (Plesetsk district of the Arkhangelsk region) were studied. Features of climate redistribution in the collection were traced, the best offspring were selected for use for reforestation within the test region. It has been established that northern offspring (northern and middle subzones of the boreal forest), differing in the I grade of age with high livability, in the II grade of age began the process of differentiation, which led to a decrease in the indicator by almost half. By the end of grade II of age, the offspring of provenance are equalized in height, while maintaining differences related to origin in diameter. The largest diameters of trunks have southern offspring, as well as from the northern subzone of mixed forests, which differ in the lowest rates of survival and quality of trunks. Direct dependence of H/D index with livability is established, which is connected with increase of provenance growth by diameter, increase of escape and curvature of trunks, formation of low-lowered crowns. It has been shown that in cultures of the II class of age, significant correlation of growth and livelihood indicators with the geographical coordinates and climatic characteristics of the places of the initial plantations remains, while with the reserve the connection is lost. Using the assessment approach, in units of standard deviation, the best climates in terms of productivity (reserve) were selected: local mold, Pinezhsky, Vologda, as well as climates from Karelia. The initial plantations of these offspring are included in the range, limited to 60–65° N, 36–44° E. For use in reforestation in the Arkhangelsk region, the use of seeds from plantations of the Urals and Siberia should be completely excluded. In the European part of the country, recommend the use of seeds harvested in three forested areas: South Karelian, Dvinsk-Mezensky and Verkhnedvinsky, limiting the movement of seeds for a distance of not more than 300 km.

Phenological variability and resistance to late spring frost of common beech in the international provenance test in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The research aimed to determine the start, end and duration of leafing phases, the degree of plant damage caused by late spring frost, and the retention of leaves in autumn. The research was conducted in the international common beech provenance test in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The test contains eight provenances from Bosnia and Herzegovina, four from Germany, three from Serbia, two each from Croatia, Romania and Switzerland, and one from Hungary. Leafing phenology, canopy damage caused by late spring frost, and leaf retention were assessed in 2019. Most provenances started opening buds on 17 April 2019. Complete canopy damage affected the highest percentage of plants in provenance BW Bad Wildbad, Germany (68 %), and the lowest in provenance Konjuh Kladanj, Bosnia and Herzegovina (3.2 %). Provenance Herzogenbuchsee from Switzerland had the highest percentage of winter leaf retention (37.5 % of plants). The results can be used in choosing provenances that are resistant to low temperatures in zones of late spring and early autumn frost.

Growth Dynamics and Tree Shape of Common Beech ( Fagus sylvatica L.) in the International Provenance Test

Provenance tests of forest tree species are important experiments in silviculture and tree breeding. Their results provide information about provenances' growth, adaptability, and other features. The research aimed to determine the dynamics of growth and tree shape of common beech plants per provenances in the international provenance test in Bosnia and Herzegovina to choose the best provenances considering wood production and quality. Research was conducted in the provenance test containing eight provenances from Bosnia and Herzegovina, four from Germany, three from Serbia, two each from Croatia, Romania, and Switzerland, and one from Hungary. Provenance test was established in 2007 by planting 2-year-old and 3-year old seedlings. Height and root collar diameter were measured, and tree shape was assessed in 2019. Data were processed in SPSS 26.0. Descriptive statistics, variance analysis, multiple Duncan's test for all traits, and Pearson's coefficient of corelation among morphological traits and tree shape were calculated. Variance for the height and root collar diameter showed statistically significant differences among different ages of plants and among provenances. Provenance from Croatia (Dilj Čaglinski) had the highest, and provenance from Romania (Alba-Iulia) had the lowest average height. The highest average value of root collar diameter had provenance Dilj Čaglinski, and the lowest value had provenance Sihlwald (Switzerland). The highest percentage of category 10 (ideal tree form) had provenance Bad Wildbad (Germany), and categories 1-4 (no silviculture value) had provenance Alba-Iulia (Romania). Pearson's coefficient showed that height, root collar diameter, and tree shape are highly correlated. Considering all the above, when planning forest-breeding works, it is recommended to continue the research and favor provenances with the best growth and tree shape.

Growth and Wood Quality Traits in a Dipteryx alata Vog. (Fabaceae) Progeny and Provenance Test

Dipteryx alata Vog. presents an excellent economic potential because of its multiple uses. However, it is currently threatened as a result of the degradation of the biome in which it occurs, the Brazilian Cerrado. Therefore, our goal was to provide subsidies for future breeding and ex situ conservation programs of D. alata. We evaluated genetic variation in growth, stem form, and wood quality traits in a progeny and provenance test planted in a random complete block design. The traits were measured in 37-year-old trees. Significant effect for provenance was obtained for all evaluated traits except bifurcation, but progeny effect was significant only for acoustic wave velocity (AWV). The estimates of individual narrow sense heritability were of low magnitude for all traits except AWV (0.24 ± 0.09). Eleven groups were formed based on Mahalanobis genetic distance with 83.1% of progenies allocated to one group. Dipteryx alata has genetic variability between progenies and provenances that can be explored to obtain genetic gain, especially for AWV. We also recommend the use of multi-trait selection index to obtain gains for both growth and wood quality traits. Controlled pollination between individuals from different progeny groups would increase variability in next generation breeding. Study Implications Dipteryx alata is a tree species that presents multiple uses and is threatened as a result of the devastation of the Brazilian Cerrado. We evaluated genetic variation in growth, stem form, and wood quality traits in a progeny and provenance test planted 37 years ago. We found genetic differences among progenies only for the wood quality trait, which can be explored to obtain genetic gains. The test is better suited for ex situ conservation, and the infusion of novel sources of germplasm is necessary for future generations of breeding.

Interactions of the Effects of Provenances and Habitats on the Growth of Scots Pine in Two Provenance Tests in Bosnia and Herzegovina

This research aims to determine the interaction of the effects of provenance and habitat conditions on provenance tests on the growth of Scots pine on two experimental plots in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Provenance tests are located on plots with different ecological conditions and altitudes: Romanija Glasinac, 1000 m, and Gostović Zavidovići, 480 m. Both tests include 11 provenances and two clonal seed plantations with 10 families in each, and five repetitions. Tree heights and diameters at breast height were measured at the age of 21 years. Interactions were determined using multivariate analysis for measured traits. The highest average heights on the provenance test Glasinac had provenances Bugojno, Romanija Glasinac, and Šipovo (8.8 m), and on the Gostović provenance Rogatica (11.0 m). The highest average diameter at breast height on the Glasinac test had Šipovo provenance (13.9 cm) and on the Gostović test Bosanski Petrovac provenance (12.3 cm). Variance analysis showed statistically significant differences among provenances in terms of diameter at breast height and height values. Multivariate analysis showed the presence of interactions of effects of provenances and habitat conditions on provenance tests. For provenances that did not show interaction, it is recommended to use provenances that performed better in the given ecological conditions, and for those that showed interaction, it is necessary to choose those provenances which are expected to show better results in given conditions later in life. The obtained results are very important for the conservation activities of this species.

Climatic Sensitivity Profile of Abies Species – A Key to Their Future Role in the Adaptive Silviculture of Central-Southeast Europe

Research Highlights: Adult grand fir displayed significantly faster growth and better resilience than native silver fir, tolerating the drastic reduction of annual rainfall at the provenance test. The reason is its adaptation to "Submediterranean-type” summer aridity at origin. When transferred to Central Europe, grand fir enjoys a substantial improvement of summer climate through higher rainfall, displaying its generally observed superiority. Background and Objectives: Published results of Frýdl and co-workers [1] were reanalyzed to assess resilience of fir species to summer drought stress. The primary aim was to detect the effects of transfer into changed climatic conditions, and less the within- and between-species adaptive differentiation shaped by past climates. Materials and Methods: Height growth of European and North American species was compared at adult age in three Czech provenance tests. Species profiles of climate sensitivity were estimated by comparing height response and climate transfer distance applying a Summer Aridity Index. Results: Silver fir showed relatively high sensitivity to summer aridity while the species A. cephalonica and A. borisii-regis were less sensitive but slower growing. Exposed to drastic climatic change, A. pinsapo and A. cilicica exhibited total mortality. The response of grand and noble fir provenances followed the pattern of sympatric Douglas fir. Grand fir surpassed native silver fir in growth and resilience. Conclusions: The sensitivity profile of fir species appears to be linked to adaptation to summer aridity at their origin, contrasting the recognition of rainfall in the wettest quarter as the best predictor. In the future, native silver fir will retreat from low-elevation, drought-exposed sites and will require silvicultural support. The introduction of Balkan firs may improve the stability of forest ecosystems. Grand fir may be considered for cautious introduction at higher elevations. When selecting provenances for future climate scenarios, the safeguarding of stability and resilience has first priority.

Performance and genetic variation in a provenance test of Araucaria cunninghamii

The objective of this work was to assess the genetic variability of Araucaria cunninghamii in a provenance test and to estimate the genetic gains in its wood production, based on different selection intensities. The trial was established in Luís Antônio, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, using open-pollinated seed from Queensland, Australia. The experimental design used was a randomized complete block with six replicates, and four plants per plot. Diameter at breast height (DBH), stem form, and survival were measured at 29 years after planting. Significant differences were detected among provenances. The coefficient of genotypic variation between provenances was high (60%) for DBH and stem form. The mean values for DBH and stem form were 23.21 cm and 4.50, respectively. The provenances Langkelly Creek, Brooweena L.A., Yarraman, and St. Agnes showed the best performance for DBH, and Imbil Seed Orchard, Brooweena L.A, St. Agnes, St. John, and Yarraman, for stem form. Genetic gains ranged from 0.5 to 24.8% for DBH, and from 0.9 to 3.5% for stem form.

Tree growth and survival over 61 years at the Second International Larch Provenance Test in southeastern Michigan, USA

Provenance trials remain an important tool for understanding genetic variation in forest trees. Maintaining decades-old experiments is critical for revealing maladaptation of translocated populations to local sites and meaningful divergence in survival and growth. We revisited the Second International Larch Provenance Test in southeastern Michigan, which featuring 24 provenances of European and Japanese larch. We compiled data collected when the plantation was 25, 41, and 61 years from seed to supplement data published at 19 years from seed. Divergence in survival rates first became pronounced at 41 years from seed. Plantation sources of unknown origin and continental Sudeten provenances had the highest rates of survival. High-elevation sources from the southern Alps performed the poorest. Survival differences were likely driven by ice storm damage and severe growing season droughts, both of which occurred at least 1-2 times per decade in southeastern Michigan over the last 60 years. Provenance performance for growth mirrored that of survival, although sources varied more in their survival than in their growth. Growth rate among sources varied over the 43-year sampling period, with intervals of fast growth occurring in several of the overall poor-performing provenances. Diameter was moderately correlated to both elevation and latitude, with inconsistent correlations to climatic variables. Broad geographical variation in provenance performance was also important in explaining variation in growth. Our data corroborate that monitoring of long-term provenance trials could be an important source of information needed to predict and understand how forest species may respond to imminent climate change and may be critical for developing strategies for its mitigation.