Genetic variation in seed and seedling traits of six <Emphasis Type="Italic">Haloxylon ammodendron</Emphasis> shrub provenances in desert areas of China

China is one of the countries most severely affected by desertification. Haloxylon ammodendron is an ecologically important component of the desert ecosystem and is one of the main shrub species used for ecological restoration. We compared the genetic variation in seed and seedling traits among six H. ammodendron provenances arrayed from east to west in China. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse in well-prepared seedling beds (lines 1.5 m apart and seeds with in lines 1.0 m apart, 2.0 cm deep) with five lines (seven seeds per line) per provenance in a randomized block design with six replicates. The seed traits of fruit wing length, kernel weight, germination rate, and survival rate were compared, as were the seedling traits of internode length, branch number, assimilation shoot diameter, height, collar diameter, new shoot length, main root number, main root length, aboveground fresh weight, and underground fresh weight. Moreover, correlations between each seed and seedling trait and climate and geographical factors were assessed. The results show that the seeds from Dengkou County, Inner Mongolia had the best performance. Germination rate and survival rate were significantly positively correlated with longitude; and fruit wing length, kernel weight, seedling height, and new shoot length were significantly negatively correlated with latitude. Fruit wing length was significantly correlated with altitude. Among the climatic factors, the temperature in January had a strong direct effect on fruit wing length, germination rate, seedling height, and new shoot length. The mean annual rainfall had a strong direct effect on collar diameter. Humidity had a strong direct effect on survival rate. Seedling height, aboveground weight, and collar diameter could be important criteria for early provenance selection in the seedling stage. This study provides a reference for the selection of high-quality H. ammodendron seeds for drylands of northwest China.     

玛咖不同颜色种子表型性状及活力特性分析

比较分析棕黄色、棕红色和黑色3种颜色玛咖种子的大小、萌发特性、幼苗生长特性和酶活力,探讨3种颜色玛咖种子的表型性状及其与种子活力之间的相关性。结果表明,棕黄色和黑色种子的长、厚、厚宽比、千粒质量、发芽势、发芽率、发芽指数、活力指数、幼苗苗长、根长、单株鲜质量和干质量、POD活性、脱氢酶活性等性状之间无显著差异,但均显著高于棕红色种子(P<0.05);棕黄色和黑色种子的新鲜不发芽种子数、死种子数和不正常幼苗数均显著低于棕红色种子(P<0.05)。不同颜色玛咖种子的千粒质量与种子的长、厚存在显著正相关(P<0.05),种子发芽势、发芽率、发芽指数、活力指数均与千粒质量、POD和脱氢酶呈极显著正相关(P<0.01)。说明棕黄色和黑色种子活力高于棕红色种子,萌发能力更强。     

Effects of phosphorus and potassium addition on growth and nodula- tion of Dalbergia sissoo in the nursery

A study was conducted to test the influence of different inorganic fertilizers （phosphorous and potassium） on the nodulation and growth of Dalbergia sissoo grown in the nursery. Before seeds sowing, different combinations of P, K fertilizers were incorporated with the nutrient-deficient natural forest soils, and then amended with cowdung （soil： cowdung = 3：1）. Nodulation status （nodule number, shape, fresh weight, dry weight and color） in the roots and the plant growth parameters （length of shoot and root, collar diameter, fresh and dry weight of shoot and root） were recorded 60 days after seeds sowing. Nodulation status and growth of the plants varied significantly （P〈0.05） in the soils amended with fertilizers in comparison to the control. The highest nodule number （62）, fresh （0.50 g） and dry （0.07 g） weights were recorded with the dose of PK at the rate of 160 kg/hm2. Nodule shape and color also varied widely in different treatments. In case of plant growth parameters, shoot and root length, collar diameter, fresh and dry weight of the plants took on a significant difference （P〈0.05） among various combination of fertilizers. From the study, it is revealed that PK at the rate of 160 kg/hm^2 fertilizer with soil and cowdung mixture （soil： eowdung = 3：1） is recommended for optimum growth and nodule formation of D. sissoo in degraded soils at a nursery level.     

工业和住宅污泥对大叶相思种子萌发以及幼苗生长参数的影响

在孟加拉国吉大港大学林业与环境科学院苗圃内,评价了污泥对大叶相思种子萌发以及幼苗生长的作用。播种前,将污泥与营养匮乏的自然林土壤按不同比率混合,分别在播种后的第1,2和3个月时,记录种子萌发情况和幼苗生长参数（枝条和根系的长度、直径、枝条的鲜重和干重、根和总的干物质量）。在播种前和幼苗采收后,分别测定各个处理的污泥-土壤混合物的理化参数（pH值、有机碳、氮、磷、钾）,以及重金属含量（铬、镍、锰、镉、锌）。结果表明,与对照相比,污泥-森林土壤混合物中播种的种子萌发率和幼苗生长参数发生显著变化。土壤-污泥按2：1混合时,种子萌发率最高（90%）,幼苗生长速率和生物量最大,有机碳和氮磷钾含量也最高。混有工业污泥的土壤中重金属含量要高于混有住宅污泥的土壤。在工业污泥土壤中,污泥-土壤按1：1混合时,重金属含量最高。据此推荐,在退化森林土壤中,土壤-污泥以2：1混合较适合大叶相思种子萌发和幼苗生长。     

Effects of sludge on germination and initial growth performance of Leucaena leucocephala seedlings in the nursery

A study was carried out to determine the influence of different types of sludges （municipal, industrial and residential） on field germination, growth and nodulation of L. leucocephala seedlings in the nursery. Before sowing of seeds, different combinations of sludges were incorporated with the nutrient deficient natural forest soils. Field germination, nodulation status and physical growth parameters of seedlings （shoot and root length, vigor index, collar diameter, leaf number, fresh and dry weight of shoot and root and total dry biomass increment） were recorded after three and six months of seed sowing. Field germination, nodulation status and growth parameters were varied significantly in the soil amended with sludges in comparison to control. The highest number of nodule was recorded from soil amended with residential sludge （ 1：1 ） and highest fresh and dry nodule weight was also found from the same combination in both three and six month old seedlings. In case of growth parameters, the highest growth was recorded from soil and residential sludge （ 1：1 ） combination compared to control. From the study, it can be recommended that soil amended with residential sludge （ 1：1 ） provide better field germination, growth and nodule formation of L. leucocephala in degraded soil.     

Inoculation of fumigated nursery soil increases nodulation and yield of bare-root red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.)

To determine if inoculation increases nodulation and yield of bare-root red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.), fumigated nursery plots were treated with inoculum and ammonium sulfate (28 kg N ha^–1) in a factorial experiment. Inoculum was alder soil with 100 infective units of Frankia g^–1. Seedlings were evaluated for nodulation at age 10 wk and when lifted, at age 9 mo. Inoculation produced earlier and more extensive nodulation and increased seedling root collar diameter, height, and dry weight. Fertilization decreased seedling height, but did not decrease nodulation. No interaction of fertilization with inoculation was found. Inoculated unfertilized plots had the highest yield of packable seedlings (257 m^–2), and uninoculated fertilized seedlings had the lowest yield (126 m^–2).     

Nursery practice on seed germination and seedling growth of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dalbergia sissoo</Emphasis> using beneficial microbial inoculants

Nursery practice using microbial inoculants was performed to find out the efficacy of the inoculants on seed germination and seedling growth of sissoo (Dalbergia sissoo Roxb.). Microbial inoculants or effective microorganisms (EM) are a mixture of many different beneficial microorganisms in a solution. The seedlings were grown in a mixture of sandy soil and cowdung (3:1) kept in polybags with pouring EM solution at different concentrations (0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 5% and 10%) before and after a week of sowing the seeds. Seed germination rate and growth parameters of seedlings were measured, such as, shoot and root length, vigor index, fresh and dry weight of shoot and root and total biomass increment. The nodulation status influenced by EM was also observed along with the measurement of pigment contents in leaves. The highest germination rate (69%) was observed in 2% EM treatment, followed by 67% and 65% in 1% and 5% EM. The highest shoot length (33.2 cm) was in 2% EM, whereas highest root length (26.3 cm) was in 1% EM. Both fresh and dry weights from shoot and root, were maximum (4.16 g and 1.57 g; 2.12 g and 0.83 g respectively) in 2% EM and were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) different from control. Vigor index was highest (4071) in 2% EM, which was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) different from control. Total dry weight increment was highest in 2% EM treatment, followed by 1% and 5% concentrations of EM. Nodulation number was higher at very low (0.1%) concentration of EM solution but it normally decreased with the increase of EM concentrations. The contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoid were highest (60.11, 17.05 and 42.48 mg·L⁻¹ respectively) in 2% EM treatment and lowest (39.35, 13.55 and 27.29 mg·L⁻¹ respectively) in control treatment. Therefore, low concentration of EM (up to 2%) can be used for getting maximum seed germination rate and seedling development of Dalbergia sissoo Roxb.     

丛枝菌根真菌对在含砷土壤中的云南石梓(Gmelina arborea)生长的影响(英文)

孟加拉东南部土壤中的砷含量很高,不仅威胁人的健康,而且对土壤也有破坏作用。云南石梓(Gmelina arborea)在孟加拉是个快速生长的树种,也是含砷土壤中的潜力树种。研究评价了含砷试验土中丛枝菌根真菌对云南石梓(Gmelina arborea)生长的影响。播种前,四种不同浓度的砷(10mg·kg-1、25mg·kg-1、50mg·kg-1和100mg·kg-1)被加入到试验土中。记录生长参数,如,植物的根、苗鲜重、干重、冠幅径、根长和苗高、根瘤菌和孢子菌群落。菌根植株较非菌根植株生长好。与其它含砷量高的土壤中植株的生长情况相比,在含砷量为10-mg·kg-1的土壤中,菌根植株和菌根生长效果最佳,菌根植株生物量最高。随着砷浓度的增加,种苗生长,根瘤菌和孢子菌群落均明显降低p0.05)。与非菌根植株比较,菌根植株高生长增加了40%,生物量增加了2.4倍。研究表明,根瘤菌接种可以减少有害土壤中的云南石梓(Gmelina arborea)的初生长的影响。     

Effects of Seedbed Density on One-Year-Old <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fraxinus angustifolia</Emphasis> Seedling Characteristics and Outplanting Performance

To assess the effects of seedling spacing on one-year-old seedling morphology in the nursery, seeds of three provenances of Fraxinus angustifolia were sown at five different seedling spacings within rows of two different spacings in the seedbed. Subsequent growth performance of one-year-old seedlings was assessed by planting in the forest. Within row spacings were: 4.3, 5.0, 6.3, 8.3, and 12.5 cm, and there were five rows at 20 cm apart, or three rows at 33 cm apart across the 1.2 m wide seedbeds. Both spacings within and between rows significantly affected shoot height, root collar diameter, root dry weight and shoot dry weight, but not root/shoot ratio. Wider spacings produced larger seedlings, but only the wider spacing within rows significantly increased fine and coarse root mass. Provenances showed significant differences in diameter, root/shoot ratio, and fine and coarse roots, and they also showed interactions with row spacings in height and diameter measurements. One year after outplanting, diameter growth was significantly related to provenance, and diameter growth was 88% greater for trees from 33 cm nursery row spacing than those from 20 cm nursery row spacing.     

Genetic variation in seed and seedling traits in 12 African provenances of Faidherbia albida (del.) A. Chev. at Lodwar, Kenya

The extent of genetic variation in seed length, width, thickness, weight and germination percentage and seedling traits among and within 12 African provenances of Faidherbia albida was examined. The regional provenances showed a consistent variation in seed length, seed width and seed weight: the southern African provenances had the largest seeds and west African provenances the smallest. Seedling height, stem collar diameter and true leaf number differed (P = 0.05) among the provenances 90 days after germination. The seedlings from west Africa were shorter, had smaller stem collar diameter and fewer leaves. In contrast, the southern and east African provenances had taller seedlings with bigger seedling diameter and more leaves per seedling. Seedling traits did not show clear-cut divisions between southern and east African provenances, but the west African provenances formed a distinct group. Positive correlations were found in some of the seed characteristics and seedling height among provenances, which could be an important criterion for early provenance selection. Greater variation was observed for seed and seedling traits among than within provenances suggesting that selection among provenances might result in rapid genetic gain for the traits studied. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of CO2 enrichment at varying photon flux density on the growth of picea abies (L) karst. seedlings

Seedlings of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.)) were grown at 335 and 1000 μl CO₂ 1^?1 for 118 days in growth rooms at different irradiance levels. Photon flux density ranging from 8.6 to 34.6 mol m^?2 day^?t (PAR) was given either as constant light or as alternating levels in intervals of two or six hours. CO₂ enrichment increased the plant dry weight from 36% to 105% by increasing photon flux density from 8.6 to 25.9 mol m^?2 day^?1. At constant light the dry weight apparently reached its maximum at a photon flux density of 25.9 mol m^?2 day^?t. At the lower radiation levels alternating in CO₂ enriched air gave slightly higher dry weights compared to constant light levels. At the highest radiations the effect on dry weight was the opposite. High CO₂ concentration and 300 μmol m^?2 s^?1 constant light (25.9 mol m^?2 day^?1) gave the best growth and quality of plants. Top, root, stem and foliage weight were proportionally affected. Shoot length was enhanced by CO₂ enrichment. Shoot weight per cm was substantially increased both by CO₂ enrichment and increasing photon flux density.     

Variation in seed and seedling traits among natural populations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trigonobalanus doichangensis</Emphasis> (A. Camus) Forman (Fagaceae), a rare and endangered plant in southwest China

The extent of genetic variation in seed and seedling traits of Trigonobalanus doichangensis, a rare and endangered tree in southwest China, was evaluated at the population level. Seeds were collected from four natural populations in the south and southwest Yunnan province, China. Significant differences (P < 0.05) between populations were observed in seed length, seed weight and seedling morphological characters. The analyses revealed that none of the seed and seedling traits had significant correlations with the geo-climatic variables of the populations. Among seed and seedling traits, significant correlations (P < 0.05) were discovered among seed length, seed weight and height of 30-day-old seedlings. Significant correlation (r = 1.00, P < 0.01) occurred also between the height and root collar diameter of 4-year-old seedlings. With the exception of seed width and seed germination percentage, 51–96% of total variation in other seed and seedling related traits was attributed to population effect, as determined by the broad sense heritability. In conclusion, these observations on variation in seed and seedling traits should be a reference point, when considering seed collection of this species for ex situ conservation and species restoration.     

Variation in seed traits and seedling vigour of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cordia africana</Emphasis> Lam. provenances in Ethiopia

Cordia africana is a very important indigenous tree species for timber and other products and services in Ethiopia. Seed traits and seedling vigour of seeds from 12 provenances of the species were compared. Mean seed mass for each provenance was assessed for 1000 seeds in 10 replications, and seed length and width were measured for 100 seeds in four replications per provenance. Germination was assessed in a glasshouse taking 400 seeds from each provenance. Root collar diameter and height of 440 seedlings grown in a nursery for 290 days in Addis Ababa were measured. Seed length, seed width, seed mass, and shoot height and root collar diameter of seedlings showed significant differences (P < 0.001) among provenances. Correlation analysis between seed and seedling traits and environmental variables revealed significant positive correlations between seed width and germination percentage, seed width and altitude, seed width and longitude and seed length and latitude. Negative correlations were obtained between seed width and temperature, seed width and rainfall, seed mass and temperature, and germination and temperature of the seed source. As expected, differences in seed trait did not explain the variability in seedling vigour. Determining quantitative variations in seed traits and seedling vigour among provenances and the patterns along environmental gradients are essential for informing decisions on the tree improvement programme of the species.     

楸树与滇楸种间杂交的初步研究

采用常规杂交方法,开展楸树与滇楸种间杂交育种,对结实率、果实性状、千粒质量、有胚率、发芽性状及1年生株高、胸径等数据进行统计分析。结果表明:父本对结实率的影响不显著,母本对结实率影响显著;父本对果实性状的影响均不显著,母本对果实长度的影响显著;父母本对千粒质量的影响均不显著;父母本对有胚率、发芽势、发芽率的影响显著或极显著。不同杂交组合间株高和胸径存在极显著差异,杂交组合8-12×滇3表现最好,其株高为2.09 m,胸径达到1.38 cm,杂交组合8-13×滇2和5-8×滇2表现也较好,依据株高、胸径进行苗期早期选择的潜力较大;表现最差的组合是8-14×滇2,株高1.69 m,胸径1.00 cm。     

The determination of the age and growth of SE Asian mangrove seedlings from internodal counts

The occurrence of periodic changes in the length of the internodes of the seedlings of SE Asian mangrove species (Rhizophora apiculata, Avicennia alba, and Sonneratia caseolaris) growing in the Pak Phanang estuary (Nakhon Si Thammarat, SE Thailand) was confirmed. The annual nature of these periodic changes was verified through comparisons with the observed average number of internodes produced by plants tagged for one year. The cycles in the sequence of internodal length of the seedlings had an average (± SE) period of 16.0 ± 0.78 internodes for Avicennia alba, 25.0 ± 1.2 internodes for Sonneratia caseolaris, and 8.29 ± 0.40 internodes for Rhizophora apiculata. These values are remarkably close to, and not significantly different (ttest, P > 0.05) from the average (± SE) annual number of internodes of 17.6 ± 0.8 for Avicennia alba, 28.8 ± 2.1 for Sonneratia caseolaris, and 8.03 ± 0.36 for Rhizophora apiculata produced in a year by tagged plants. In addition, the average (± SE) growth of the tagged plants was 0.39 ± 0.018cm day^-1 for Avicennia alba, 0.24 ± 0.015cm day^-1 for Sonneratia caseolaris, and 0.091 ± 0.0036cm day^-1 for Rhizophora apiculata. These estimates were very close to those (0.45 ± 0.06cm day^-1 for Avicennia alba, 0.32 ± 0.01cm day^-1 for Sonneratia caseolaris, and 0.13 ± 0.005cm day^-1 for Rhizophora apiculata) derived as the product of the mean number of internodes produced per day, calculated from the inferred number of internodes produced per year, and the mean length of the internodes of the plants. These findings indicate that the use of regular, annual changes in the length of the internodes of mangrove seedlings can be used reliably to determine their age and to estimate their growth rate.     

Effect of nitrogen fertilizer on biomass production and nodulation behavior of Pongamia pinnata Pierre seedlings under nursery conditions

At the seedling stage, a small amount of N is required to boost growth of leguminous plants. A pot experiment was conducted to observe the effect of N fertilizer on various growth parameters and nodulation behavior of Pongamia pinnata under nursery conditions. After the establishment of seedlings, four nitrogen treatments, 0, 40, 80 and 100 kg·ha^?1 N were applied in two equal splits. Monthly observations were taken for the morphological parameters viz. plant height, collar diameter, leaf number, root length, root shoot ratio, nodule number and weight per plant. Maximum plant height was recorded after application of N at 40 kg·ha^?1. Seasonally, the difference in collar diameter in rainy season was significantly higher than in winter or summer. However, more leaves were produced per plant at N-40 and N-100 treatments in winter and rainy seasons. Higher root length was recorded in rainy season than in winter or summer. Root biomass was higher than for stems or leaves. Seasonal effects of N-80 and N-40 treatments on leaf dry weight were significantly higher than for N-100 or N-0. Stem dry weight was higher at N-40 than at other treatments in winter and summer seasons. Root:shoot ratio was higher throughout winter to early summer. Nodule biomass was 2–3 times higher in rainy season compared to winter or summer. Maximum nodule number and biomass per plant were highest at N-40, followed by N-0, N-80 and N-100 treatments. New nodule formation started from June to the end of September. Maximum biomass per plant was recorded at N-40, followed by N-80, N-100 and N-0. Nitrogen treatment effect and seasonal behaviour interaction were not significant. Significantly higher numbers of nodules per plant were recorded in rainy season followed by summer and winter for all treatments. Higher nitrogen doses suppressed growth while lower doses promoted growth in Pongamia pinnata. Therefore, the lower nitrogen dose i.e., N-40 Kg·ha^?1 applied in two equal splits was suitable at the initial nursery stage for the increase in nodulation and biomass production.     

Effect of seed mass on emergence and seedling development in Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb.

We investigated the effect of seed mass on emergence, seedling survival and growth ofPterocarpus marsupium Roxb., a medium to large, commercially valuable and deciduous tree species. Among the three size classes viz. small （10-12 mm）, medium （13-15 mm） and large （16-17 mm）, the maximum proportion, of seed by number （54.12%） and dry weight （51.87%） was recorded, in the medium size seed class. Seed length and seed width were greatest in the large seed class （16.50 mm, 7.33 mm） followed by medium （13.50 mm, 5.60 mm） and small （11.37 ram, 3.66 mm）. Similarly, hundred seed weight （100 sw） varied from a maximum of 12.92 g in the large seed class to intermediate 10.95 g in the medium seed class and minimum of 7.02 g in the small seed class. The large seed size showed maximum emergence and shoot length over the medium and small seed class. After six months of growth, significant variations due to seed size were also observed for the growth and dry weight of P. marsupium seedlings. Seedling vigour, expressed in terms of height, collar diameter, number of leaves and dry biomass, was sig- nificantly affected by seed class. Seedlings that emerged from large seeds showed better growth and produced heavier seedlings as compared to medium and small seeds.     

Biogeographic differences in cone, needle and seed morphology among natural Picea asperata populations in Western China

This study represents a geographical approach to morphological variation of cones, needles and seeds in natural dragon spruce (Picea asperata Mast.) populations across western China and the relationship between morphological traits and weather variation for the origins of populations. Significant differences were found for all cone, needle and seed traits among populations and trees within populations. The coefficients of variation in 2 higher latitude populations were higher than those in other populations in all traits except for needle width and seed width. Fairly high within-population variability was also detected for cone dry weight, seed dry weight and needle traits in this study. Cone length, cone width, cone dry weight, seed scale length, seed scale width and seed wing length were strongly positively intercorrelated. Seed length and seed dry weight showed a significantly positive correlation with seed wing length. And needle width showed a significant negative correlation with cone traits, seed scale length, seed wing length and seed length. The higher the annual mean temperature, the higher the average cone length. This study also revealed a negative linear dependence on latitude: the higher the latitude, the lower the population average seed length. Seed dry weight was positively and linearly related with altitude.     

Ecophysiological and genetic variation in seedling traits and in first-year field performance of eight <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia senegal</Emphasis> provenances in the Blue Nile,Sudan

The genetic variation in seed weight, seed number per kg and seedling traits was compared among eight Acacia senegal provenances originating from the clay plain (east) and sand plains (west) of the gum belt in Sudan. The main objective of this study was to identify germplasm sources of A. senegal that have a good seed germination capacity and seedling traits suitable for reforestation in the clay-soil part of the dryland gum belt in the Blue Nile region in Sudan. A specific objective was to tentatively explore the adaptive strategy of A. senegal populations. Seventeen-week-old seedlings were planted in the field at spacing of 3 m × 3 m, giving 100 trees per plot and replication; within a randomized complete block design with four replications. The experimental site was in the clay plain region. Seed variables showed significant differences. Clay plain provenances showed considerable variation in seed weight and seed number. They had the smallest seed weight but the highest seed number, while the sand (western) provenances had the largest seed weight but lowest seed number. Seedling branch number, root length, root to shoot ratio and shoot dry weight differed significantly among the provenances 12 weeks after germination. Clay provenances had the highest branch number and shoot dry weight but the shortest roots and lowest root to shoot ratio. This was interpreted as showing better adaptation to the site in these local provenances in comparison to those originating from the western sandy soil regions. High positive correlations were observed between seedling variables, such as root nodule and branch numbers; this could be used for early selection. The variation was greater between provenance groups than within them, suggesting that especially selection among groups would yield genetic gain.     

Growth and biomass partitioning of nine provenances of Quillaja saponaria seedlings to water stress

Information on the morphological and physiological responses of seedlings to stressors, such as water stress, is required for successful early establishment of seedlings. We examined provenance variation in morphological and physiological traits of Quillaja saponaria Molina seeds from nine provenances representing a latitudinal transect across the species range in Chile. The seedlings were subjected to two water regimes (well-watered vs water restriction) in a nursery experiment, and growth, biomass, survival, and gas exchange traits were measured. As expected, well-watered seedlings exhibited a superior performance in all traits analysed. Provenance effects were significant for most of the morphological and physiological traits. In the growth and biomass analysis, the northernmost provenance showed the lowest survival, growth and dry biomass, whereas in the gas exchange analysis, the southern interior provenance showed the highest net photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductance and water use efficiency. The interaction between water regimes and provenance was only significant for diameter and net photosynthesis. These results indicate that different provenances of Q. saponaria show a stable performance across different controlled drought conditions. This information is of relevance for sourcing seeds for the restoration of the species.