VARIATION IN GROWTH AMONG NINE BOSNIAN HERZEGOVINIAN PROVENANCES OF SILVER FIR (Abies alba Mill)

UDK: 630*232:582.475(497.6) Provenance experiments with forest trees provide valuable information about the growth and adaptability of population, often transferred from remote geographical regions and various climate conditions. This study researches the growth of nine provenances of silver fir from the area of its natural distribution in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The experiment was established in the year 1991 in the form of a random block system with 5 repetitions. For planting, we used five-year-old seedlings (2/3), and planting spacing was 2x2 m. Each Silver fir provenance was included with 320 plants. Measurement results in the 28th year of age show the existence of variations between silver fir provenances in characteristics; mean height, mean diameter and average tree volume. Silver fir provenance from Bosanski Petrovac showed the best results. The mean height of this Silver fir provenance at the age of 28 was 9.1 m, while the mean diameter was 11.9 cm. Provenances that show the lowest growth (8.1 m) were from Pale, Olovo-Klis and Konjic. Silver fir provenance from Konjic has the lowest mean diameter (10.7 cm). In all provenances, we have had a culmination of height increment in age between 20 and 25 years. Variation between tested silver fir provenances for examined characteristic “mean height” was larger (four groups of population) compared to examined characteristic “mean diameter” (two groups of population). Volume of mean tree (0.062m3) and assortment (111.33 m3/ha) in Bosanski Petrovac provenance was larger than spreadsheet values for the first yield class for Central Europe conditions. The trial shows that silver fir in Bosnia and Herzegovina is variable on the local level due to specific micro-habitual conditions in which it grows.

Increment analysis in black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) stand – a case study

The study on the diameter and volume increment of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) stand (age 10-27 years, yield class II) have shown that in comparison to the periodic annual increment of the breast height diameter of tree in height class I, trees in height class II have reached 83.3%, while in class III only 43.9. The same relations for volume were found 59.0% and 24.5%, respectively. The mean values of the whole stand were close to those of height class II. According to the distribution of the periodic annual increment of volume between 10 and 27 years of age, 50% of the values were between 2.00 and13.88 dm3, 73% were between 2.00 and19.82 dm3, and 96% were between 2.00 and 37.64 dm3. The range of 13.88–19.82 dm3 had the highest occurrence (24.5%).

Vintage by vine interactions most strongly influence Pinot noir grape composition in New Zealand

Vine genetics, fruit maturity, region and vineyard are perceived as factors that strongly influence Pinot noir grape and wine composition. Our study aims to understand the relationship between grape (and ultimately wine) composition and the physical appearance and performance characteristics of a vine (i.e. vine ideotype). Our experimental approach controlled these variables by studying within-block differences in vine performance across multiple seasons and vineyards. Grapes were sourced at commercial harvest from 20 single vines from 12 vineyard sites in three Pinot noir growing regions (Central Otago, Martinborough and Marlborough) of New Zealand.Across three vintages yields ranged from 0.1 kg to 6.3 kg per metre, but there was no general relationship between yield and berry soluble solids. On a vine by vine basis normalised yields did not correlate among seasons. Berry extract colour measures were, on average, three-fold higher in 2019 than in 2018.Principal Component Analysis has indicated that vintage dominated berry composition effects that might otherwise be associated with yield per vine, region and vineyard. The extent of the variation in performance of the same vines between seasons largely excludes factors that are stable between seasons as primary causes. Changes in management of the same vine from year to year appeared the most likely contributors to variation. We have derived highly significant negative linear relationships between vine yield class and the frequency of vines that were within a benchmark specification established for icon vines, providing evidence of the quality risk associated with higher yield. The results also indicate that a proportion of vines meet the benchmark specification at higher yields. From results to date we can further our research confident in the knowledge that factors such as vine yield, region or vineyard are, in themselves, unlikely to be the principal drivers of major differences in Pinot noir grape and wine composition.

Comparative Analysis of Conditions for Scotch Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Korean Pine Plantations (Pinus koraiensis Siebold et Zucc.) on the Territory of Vladivostok Agglomeration

The forest cover of the Far East is very high. The forests of the Russian Far East (FE) occupy from 3 to 16% of the areas, that is stock of wood, and biological diversity of this form of vegetation cover. In order to restore and diversify the forest fund in Primorsky Krai, to determine the possibility of obtaining various wood within a short time and the possibility of switching to mass planting, pure crops of Manchurian walnut, Manchurian ash, Amur cork tree, Maksimovich poplar, Korean pine and Scotch pine has been created on the territory of the state forest fund since the early 1950s. The article analyzes the growth of Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis Siebold et Zucc.) plantations. The yield class, age, diameter and height, density and stock were determined on 5 trial areas. The analysis of the condition of artificial plantings for Korean cedar and Scotch pine, which were planted from 1954 to 1980, indicates their low capacity for survival, which decreases to 14–25% in 25–40 years, depending on the location of the research object. It confirms the need to expand and reconstruct the green zones of towns of “Great Vladivostok.” The main reasons for reducing the capacity for survival of plantings are forest fires and unauthorized logging.

Milk yield and somatic cells in dairy ewes with respect to their mutual relations

The objective of this study was to analyze milk yield and somatic cell count (SCC) expressed as somatic cell sore (SCS) in Lacaune dairy breed. Data from milk performance testing recorded between 2016 and 2018 (farm in West Slovakia) were used. A total, 377 individual milk yield and SCC records of 61 ewes (first, second and third lacation, respectively) were analysed. Mixed model for milk yield included fixed factors: SCC class (lowest, low, middle, high and highest), year of measurement, lactation number, month in milk and interaction between month in milk and SCC class, and random factors of ewe and error. Mixed model for SCS included milk yield class (lowest, low, middle, high, highest), year of measurement, lactation number, month in milk and interaction between month in milk and milk yield class. Random factors of ewe and error were considered as well. Milk yield was significantly affected ( p <0.05 or p <0.01) by all investigated factors. Except for interaction between month in milk and milk yield class, the remaining factors significantly affected (p <0.05 or p <0.01) also SCS. The analyses confirmed that SCC may be used as a useful indicator of udder health. It may help in identifying infected ewes, and thus, avoiding mammary infections to be spread throughout the whole flock.

Current state and longevity forecast of oak trees in the Gornensky State Nature Reserve

Государственный природный заказник "Горненский", расположенный в центральной части Ростовской области, являясь особо охраняемой природной территорией областного значения, имеет уникальные объекты, представленные искусственно созданными лесными насаждениями дуба черешчатого (Quercus robur L.). В современном лесном хозяйстве черноземной зоны дуб черешчатый продолжает занимать лидирующие позиции по хозяйственному значению. Большое внимание при выращивании леса уделяется продуктивности. Насаждения, устойчивые насаждение к болезням, вредителям и неблагоприятным природным явлениям, всегда являются продуктивными и имеют большой показатель запаса древесины на единицу площади. Усыхание дубрав в последние годы становится актуальной проблемой. Основными факторами этих процессов являются повреждения вредителями и инфекционными заболеваниями. Повышению устойчивости деревьев дуба черешчатого в насаждениях способствуют своевременные рубки ухода. Авторы провели анализ посадок дуба черешчатого, сформированных с участием основной сопутствующей породы – клена остролистного. Исследовано 2 варианта лесных культур дуба в условиях сухой дубравы (Д1), определены лесоводственно-таксационные показатели в разные возрастные периоды. Отмечается, что при отсутствии в них плановых рубок ухода в периоды с 25 до 40 и с 35 до 50 лет происходит падение бонитета с 1 до 2 класса. Наряду с этим отмечается суховершинность деревьев, что приводит к задернению поверхности почвы и, соответственно изменению условий произрастания. The Gornensky State NatureReserve,situated in the central part of the Rostov Region, isa protected natural area of regional significance. The reserve contains unique objects, represented by artificially created forest stands of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.). In the modern forestry of the Chernozem zone,pedunculate oak continues to take a leading position in terms of its economic value. Much attention is paid to productivity when growing forests. Plantings that are resistant to diseases, pests, and adverse natural phenomena are always productive and have a large stock of wood per unit area. The diebackof oak forests has become an urgent problem in recent years. The main factors of these processes are damage by pests and infectious diseases. Timely improvement felling of oak trees helps to increase the stability of the stands. The authors analyzed plantings of petiolate oak formed with the participation of the main accompanying species– Norwaymaple. Twovariants of forest oak plantationsin the conditions of a dry oak forest (D1) were studied, and forestry and taxation indicators were determined for different age periods. It is noted that in the absence of planned improvement felling in the periods from 25 to 40 and from 35 to 50 years, there is a drop in the yield class from 1 to 2. Along with this, the diebackof trees is noted, which results inthe grassing-downof the soil surface and, accordingly, changes in the growing conditions.

Ecology and Management of Black Walnut (Juglans nigra L.) in Hungary

Background and Purpose: Black walnut ( Juglans nigra L.) was one of the first forest tree species introduced and acclimated from North America to Europe in the 17th century. Although native to North America, black walnut is now naturalized and widely planted throughout Europe. In Hungary, this species has played an important role in forest management. Black walnut can grow on various sites, but careful site selection and well-planned management practices are needed to produce successful plantations. Due to the increasing interest in black walnut growing in many countries this study complied with the aim of giving a summary on the base of research and improvement connected with the species over the past decades. Materials and Methods: Black walnut produces a well-closing, favourably differentiated stand structure in consequence of the great genetic diversity of single trees. It utilizes well the leaks of the tending cuttings. In this manner, because of its quick height growth, the systematic, individual selective method can be favourably combined with more frequent stem number reduction. The objective of tending should be to produce a high proportion of good quality saw logs from stands of yield class I, II, III and IV, and some other smaller-dimension industrial wood from stands of yield class V and VI. Conclusions: In Hungary, black walnut is one of the most valuable exotic tree species, mainly because of its wood excessively used in furniture industry. Black walnut is used in furniture industry both as solid wood and veneer. This species is among the most expensive furniture woods in the world due to its appealing surface figure and colour. Its wood is also used for making musical instruments, turned and carved ornaments, statues and marquetry. Black walnut stands are to be important in carbon sequestration, soil stabilization, and water quality protection as well.

Assessing the growth of Picea omorika [Pan.] Purkyn in the Masaryk Forest Training Forest Enterprise at Ktiny

Plantations of Serbian spruce (Picea omorika [Panč.] Purkyně) reach an age over 70 years at the Masaryk Forest Training Forest Enterprise (TFE) at Křtiny. They occur at different sites of the TFE, which is situated north of Brno between Blansko, Jedovnice and Brno in the Czech Republic. The paper presents an assessment of primary mensurational values (diameter at breast height d.b.h., height h, Derbholz volume m³), fertility, mortality and general health condition. The present registered number of Serbian spruce trees is 425 (from originally 750 individuals) in 25 localities and 12 GFT (groups of forest types). A comparison of Serbian spruce mensurational data with growth tables indicated that Serbian spruce on GFT 4K makes up for the tabular mean values of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) in yield class +1.

Reduction of timber value from damaged spruce stands after their dieback

The paper presents a method for the derivation of total timber production and of increments in value units, particularly in net financial yield for spruce stands damaged by crown defoliation after their dieback. The value production was derived by means of value growth models of undamaged stands and models for the adjustment of volume and qualitative production of damaged and died stands. Changes in timber quality after tree drying and changes in the production of damaged stands compared with undamaged ones are illustrated in tables and graphs. The changes are expressed by means of the indexes of total mean increment and total current increment. They depend mainly on the degree of stand damage expressed by crown defoliation, age and yield class of stand, the age of stand when the damage started and duration of damage. The value of damaged stands after their dieback is lover minimally by 50% than before their dieback. It is caused mainly by deteriorated quality of timber from dead trees in stand.

Growth and formation patterns of pine-larch saplings in conditions of Eastern Siberia

Researches and generalizations of information on basic patterns of formation, growth, and structure of Irkutsk region forest stands and plantations enabled to study dynamics of formation and productivity of mixed pine forests, being naturally developed under various economic impacts. Such parameters as diameter-, height-, and volume-wise pine and larch increment in mixed forest stands were studied. The obtained results were accurate due to a wealth of experimental material, statistical and mathematical processing using MS Excel application software, graphic methods of processing the materials. The following conclusions can be made based on the materials collected: areas and yields of larch in Irkutsk region have been sharply reduced, since there are processes of intense deforestation and weak natural regeneration of larch here. Mixed forest plantations of pine and larch grow rather successfully, however, such areas are few, since there is no commercial procurement of larch seeds in Irkutsk region, no larch seedlings are cultivated in nursery forests; larch saplings occupy a much smaller area than Scots pine saplings do; basic taxation parameters and structure of mixed pine-larch forest plantations are formed at the young age; saplings have mean productivity, equivalent to the 3rd yield class; mixed forest stands are of high practical and industrial value that depends on conditions of domestic and foreign market.