Nordic provenance trials with Abies lasiocarpa and Abies lasiocarpa var. arizonica: three-year results

In three Nordic field trials, 26 provenances of Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt. and Abies lasiocarpa var. arizonica (Merriam) Lemmon were evaluated 3 yrs after establishment. The focus was on 16 traits important for adaptation, establishment and production of Christmas trees. For all three sites in Denmark, Norway and Iceland, survival ranged from 89 to 96%. Provenances showed statistically significant differences for all but two traits. For all traits there was significant interaction between provenance and site. Analysis of ecovalens showed that for most traits, only a limited number of provenances contributed substantially to the interaction. Therefore, a large proportion of the provenances showed a fairly consistent ranking across sites. The frequency of potential Christmas trees in the provenances ranged from 10 to 49%. Southern provenances from New Mexico and Arizona seemed to have the best potential for producing high-quality Christmas trees. The southern provenances added substantially to the interaction between provenance and site for budset, lammas growth and colour. When using multivariate statistical methods on all measured traits, the provenance clusters fitted neatly into six distinct geographical regions.     

A projected increase in stand volume of introduced provenances of Acacia mangium in seedling seed orchards in South Sumatra, Indonesia

 Increases in stand volume with some currently introduced provenances of Acacia mangium: Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Far North Queensland (FNQ), were projected based on their superiorities in 3-year height growth in seedling seed orchards using the growth model developed for unthinned plantation for pulp and paper production in South Sumatra, Indonesia. The height growth of these provenances was better than that of the local selections from Subanjeriji by 10%–15% at 3 years old and these percentage superiorities would be expected to remain at around 9%–14% until the 8-year rotation. This amount of increase would result in a 7%–10% increase in basal area and hence it would produce a 17%–26% increase in stand volume at rotation age when compared with the Subanjeriji seed source that was being widely used for the plantation establishment of A. mangium in Indonesia. Received: July 24, 2002 / Accepted: December 3, 2002 Acknowledgments The authors thank Mr. Hardjono, the director of plantation establishment at PT Musi Hutan Persada for his permission to use data of permanent plots for the growth modeling of A. mangium. The authors are grateful to the staff at PT Musi Hutan Persada, Research and Development Center for Biotechnology and Forest Tree Improvement, Japan International Cooperation Agency for their implementations of the study. Our thanks are also due to Dr. Yoshida, associate professor at Kyushu University, for his advice on developing the growth modeling work. Correspondence to:S. Kurinobu     

Variation of extractives content in heartwood and sapwood of Eucalyptus globulus trees

The variation in extractives content in sapwood and heartwood was investigated among 12 trees in each of four commercial plantations of Eucalyptus globulus in central Portugal. The study was carried out at the 15% height level and extractions used successively dichloromethane, ethanol and water. At all sites, heartwood had significantly more extractives than sapwood, on average 3.8 and 2.4%, respectively. Most extractives consisted of ethanol soluble material (on average 52% of total extractives). Among the sites, there was a statistically significant difference in the content of extractives but the most important source of variation was the within-tree variation between sapwood and heartwood. Differences in the content of extractives were also observed among trees. A strong relation between extractives content and heartwood proportion was found. The potential loss of pulp yield and problems associated with accumulation of extractives are directly related to the heartwood proportion in the eucalypt stems. Forest management should take into account heartwood development and selection for minimising heartwood extractives.     

Polyphenols in Acacia mangium and Acacia auriculiformis heartwood with reference to heart rot susceptibility

The heartwood of Acacia mangium is vulnerable to heart rot and this is the first study to investigate the role of heartwood extractives in its susceptibility. Acacia auriculiformis was compared with A. mangium because it is rarely associated with heart rot. The heartwood extracts of both species were dominated by three flavonoids (2,3-trans-3,4′,7,8-tetrahydroxyflavanone, teracacidin, and 4′,7,8,-trihydroxyflavanone), which were purified and identified by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The latter compound has not been previously reported in A. mangium and evidence for melacacidin is also newly reported. The mass spectrometric (MS) behavior of these compounds is given, for example teracacidin does not form molecular ions by either electrospray ionization or atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization. The nature of Acacia tannins was compared to quebracho tannin (composed of profisetinidins) using oxidative cleavage to enable MS detection but a negative reaction was obtained for both, which suggests the Acacia tannins may also be of the 5-deoxy proanthocyanidin type. The concentration of flavanones was less when A. mangium heartwood was decayed but the amount of proanthocyanidins was only slightly reduced and therefore these compounds may be more resistant to degradation by heart rot fungi. We found that the total phenol content of A. auriculiformis was about fivefold that of A. mangium, and, while preliminary, this provides evidence for a role played by phenolic extractives in heart rot resistance of these Acacia species.     

柚木种源生长和与材质有关特性的遗传变异及综合评价

对海南岛乐东尖峰岭27年生柚木6个种源的生长及与材质有关特性进行测定与分析,结果表明:种源间树皮厚度、心材宽度、基本密度差异极显著,树高、材积、枝下高、边材宽度差异显著,而胸径、边材年轮数及心材率差异不显著,说明在种源水平上对柚木进行生长和与材质有关特性的改良具有较大的潜力,尤其进行木材生长性状、基本密度和心材宽度的种...     

Trait variations in 28-year-old teak (Tectona grandis) provenance field trials in Ghana,West Africa

Stem straightness, axis persistence, presence/absence of protuberant buds and epicormics, diameter and height have profound influence on timber quality and volume of teak (Tectona grandis). Provenance trials of teak were established in the 1970s in Ghana, as part of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) International Series of Provenance Trials, with the view of selecting teak germplasm for sites with specific environmental conditions. Two field trials were located in dry semi-deciduous (dry) and moist semi-deciduous (moist) ecological zones of Ghana. They consisted of 13 provenances, including four landraces each from Ghana and Indonesia, and two and three provenances from India and Laos, respectively. Trees were assessed at 9, 17 and 28 years to (1) quantify the potential variation in quality and timber volume production, (2) examine possibilities for determining early selection of parameters of superior provenances and (3) select provenances for sites with particular environmental conditions. Production traits were higher on the moist site than the dry site. Mean height was 23.2 and 20.2 m tree^?1, stem cross-sectional area at breast height was 0.0896 and 0.0474 m² tree^?1, and stem volume was 0.75 and 0.34 m³ tree^?1 for the moist and dry sites, respectively. Nilambur provenance from moist India had the highest mean stem straightness score of 19% above average, whereas Savannakhet from Laos had the best protuberant bud score with 18% of the trees above average. Indonesian landraces performed better in the dry zone, whereas provenances from India and Laos performed better in the moist zone. Phenotypic correlations between age 9 and 28 years were moderate (r 0.54–0.90) to high (r > 0.90) for production and qualitative characteristics, indicating feasibility of early assessment for identification of superior provenances. Nilambur and Savannakhet II provenances proved to be favourable choices for the moist zone, whereas the Temandsang provenance from Indonesia was found to be the best choice for the dry site.     

斑皮桉地理种源生长试验

斑皮桉地理种源生长试验＊翁启杰郑海水杨曾奖李克正谢火寿关键词斑皮桉、地理种源、生长表现斑皮桉（ＥｕｃａｌｙｐｔｕｓｍａｃｕｌａｔａＨｏｏｋｆ．）天然林分布于澳大利亚东部，从维多利亚３８°Ｓ至昆士兰２５°Ｓ，从沿海向内陆延伸７５～３８０ｋｍ范围内。它适...     

International provenance trial of Neem (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Azadirachta indica</Emphasis>) in the terai region of Nepal

An international provenance trial of Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) was established in July 1996 at Butwal Research Station of western Terai region of Nepal. It comprised the seed sources of 23 provenances collected from 10 countries including Nepal. A randomized complete block design was used for the experiment with two replications in an area of 1.5 hectares. The objectives of this trail were similar to that of other provenance trials under the International Neem Network. The assessments were made for survival rate, diameter at breast height (DBH), height, crown diameter and straightness of stem at age 5 and age 10. Average survival rates of the provenances in the two assessments were 69.74 and 63.5% respectively. The survival rate ranged from 33% for Kuliyapitiya, Sri Lanka to 92% for Ramannagudu, India. The four provenances Ramannagudu, Sagar, Sunyani, and Lamahi showed ≥80% survival rate. Similarly, Sunyani, Ban Bo, Yezin, Ramannagudu and Doitao showed best performance for DBH. The mean DBH of provenances was 8.74 cm (SD = 2.07). The five provenances namely, Sunyani, Yezin, Ban Bo, Ghaati and Bandia were the best performer for height. The mean height and SD of provenances were 6.29 m and 0.79 respectively. Sunyani had the widest crown diameter at both ages. Ban Nong showed the highest score for the straightness of main stem. Out of the two local provenances of Nepal, Lamahi showed better performance than Geta in many characteristics.     

Three year performance of international provenance trials of Acacia auriculiformis

The performance of 25 provenances in international trials on seven sites in four countries was assessed for survival and growth at 3 years. Of these provenances, seven were from Queensland, 12 from Northern Territory, Australia, and six from Papua New Guinea. Significant growth differences were found: (a) among provenances at four sites, (b) among the sites, and (c) between provenance regions. The interaction between sites and provenances as well as between sites and provenance regions was also significant. The poorest growth was recorded in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, while the best growth was in Banjarbaru, Indonesia. Stability analyses of the provenance x site interaction revealed eight provenances with high vigour and good tree form that were relatively stable across sites. These included Archer River, South Coen, Coen River and Wenlock River provenances from Queensland; Noogoo Swamp and Mann River provenances from Northern Territory; and North Bensbach and Old Tonda Village provenances from Papua New Guinea.     

European silver fir (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Abies alba</Emphasis> Mill.) provenances from Calabria,southern Italy: 15-year results from Danish provenance field trials

Height after 15 years, bud burst and mortality varied significantly among 13 southern Italian (Calabrian), a central Italian, a German (Schwarzwald), a Romanian (Carpathian), and a Danish provenance of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) tested in two field trials in Denmark. The variation in height was especially observed in the field trial that was well protected against late frost in the spring and early frost in the fall by a shelter wood of larch. Provenances from the region of Serra San Bruno (Calabria) and two provenances from the region of Gariglione (Calabria) showed superior height growth at this site compared with the remaining provenances. Height was below average for two provenances from the region of Aspromonte (Calabria). The variation in height correlated significantly with biomasses of the same provenances obtained in early tests. Bud burst was earlier among provenances from the regions of Serra San Bruno and Aspromonte. These were also characterised by poor winter-frost resistance in early tests. The Romanian provenance was not represented in the shelter wood trial. The variation in height between provenances in the other field trial was mainly due to the Romanian and the Danish provenance with superior and poorer growth respectively. Otherwise, differences between the remaining provenances were not significant at this site probably due to the influence of frost. Provenances with poor winter-frost resistance had higher mortality at this site.     

Survival,growth, wood basic density and wood biomass of seven-year-old Casuarina species/provenances grown at Kongowe,Kibaha, Tanzania

A performance comparison of seven-year-old individuals of 13 Casuarina species/provenances in terms of survival, growth (diameter, height and volume), wood basic density and wood biomass was undertaken at Kongowe, Kibaha, Tanzania. The trial was laid out using a randomised complete block design with four replications. The results showed significant differences (P < 0.0001) in all parameters. Casuarina equisetifolia from Montazah National Park, Egypt, had the lowest untransformed survival (48.8%), whereas C. equisetifolia from Wagait Tower (North Timor), Indonesia, had the highest survival (87.5%). Casuarina equisetifolia from Montazah National Park, Egypt, had the lowest mean diameter (8.6 cm) while the C. junghuhniana provenance from Timor, Indonesia (seedlot no. 19489) had the highest diameter (14.8 cm). Casuarina equisetifolia from Montazah National Park, Egypt, had the lowest mean height (16.2 m), volume (22.1 m³ ha^?1) and biomass production (23.5 t ha^?1), whereas C. equisetifolia from Hadsamira Songkhla, Thailand, had the highest mean height (24.3 m), volume (66.4 m³ ha^?1) and biomass production (72.9 t ha^?1). In terms of wood basic density, the C. junghuhniana provenance from Timor, Indonesia (seedlot no. 19489) had the lowest (617 kg m^?3), whereas C. equisetifolia from Wagait Tower (North Timor), Indonesia, had the highest (731 kg m^?3). Ordinal ranking for the best-performing species/provenances revealed that the best two provenances were C. equisetifolia from Hadsamira Sonkhla, Thailand, and C. junghuhniana from Timor, Indonesia (seedlot no. 19491). The two poorest-performing provenances were C. equisetifolia from Montazah National Park, Egypt, and C. equisetifolia from Cotonou, Benin. The outstanding species/provenances are recommended for pilot planting at Kibaha and similar sites.     

Radial variations in the anatomical characteristics and density of the wood of Acacia mangium of five different provenances in Indonesia

The anatomical characteristics and density of wood were examined in 23-year-old Acacia mangium trees that had been planted in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The seeds had been collected from trees of five different provenances. The distance from the pith of the boundary between juvenile and mature wood was also examined to clarify the maturity of the wood. Lengths of wood fibers near the pith and the distance from the pith of the boundary between juvenile and mature wood differed significantly among provenances. By contrast, other anatomical characteristics of the wood such as fiber wall area, fiber wall thickness, fiber diameter, vessel lumen area, vessel diameter, vessel frequency and wood density did not differ significantly among provenances. Wood density was strongly correlated with the area of fiber walls. Our observations suggest that Sidei and Daintree might be more appropriate provenances among those examined for the Acacia mangium tree-breeding programs in Indonesia that are aimed at improving wood quality, because these provenances are associated with longer initial wood fibers and narrower juvenile areas than the other provenances studied.     

Optimum age for selection based on a time trend of genetic parameters related to diameter growth in seedling seed orchards of Eucalyptus pellita in Indonesia

The time trend of genetic parameters related to diameter growth was investigated using data at ages from 1 to 6 years to determine the optimum age for selection in four seedling seed orchards of Eucalyptus pellita in South Kalimantan and Riau (Sumatra), Indonesia. The seed orchards at each location were from three geographically distinct provenances from Papua New Guinea. The pooled sum of squares and sum of cross products derived from an analysis of variance of growth of the three provenance populations were used to estimate genetic parameters at each location. Because the genetic parameters at rotation age, 8 years in this study, were not available, they were estimated using functions derived from their time trends. Phenotypic variances and genetic variances calculated at each age were converted to the corresponding square roots, and then analyzed by the linear regression using means as independent variables. The trend of juvenile–mature correlation was fitted by a modified Richards function with the ratio of the older diameter mean to the juvenile diameter as an independent variable. Early selection always resulted in more genetic gain per year than selection at rotation age, and the optimum age for selection, where genetic gain per year was maximized, was found to be 4 and 5 years in the two locations.     

The influence of heartwood on the pulping properties of Acacia melanoxylon wood

The pulping wood quality of Acacia melanoxylon was evaluated in relation to the presence of heartwood. The sapwood and heartwood from 20 trees from four sites in Portugal were evaluated separately at 5% stem height level in terms of chemical composition and kraft pulping aptitude. Heartwood had more extractives than sapwood ranging from 7.4% to 9.5% and from 4.0% to 4.2%, respectively, and with a heartwood-to-sapwood ratio for extractives ranging from 1.9 to 2.3. The major component of heartwood extractives was made up of ethanol-soluble compounds (70% of total extractives). Lignin content was similar in sapwood and heartwood (21.5% and 20.7%, respectively) as well as the sugar composition. Site did not influence the chemical composition. Pulping heartwood differed from sapwood in chemical and optical terms: lower values of pulp yield (53% vs 56% respectively), higher kappa number (11 vs. 7), and lower brightness (28% vs 49%). Acacia melanoxylon wood showed an overall good pulping aptitude, but the presence of heartwood should be taken into account because it decreases the raw-material quality for pulping. Heartwood content should therefore be considered as a quality variable when using A. melanoxylon wood in pulp industries     

Variation in pitch canker resistance among provenances of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus patula</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus tecunumanii</Emphasis> from Mexico and Central America

Pinus patula and high-elevation (HE) sources of P. tecunumanii exhibit intermediate levels of resistance to pitch canker (Fusarium circinatum), compared to extremely resistant species such as P. oocarpa, and extremely susceptible species such as P. radiata. Seedlings from 20 P. patula provenances and 15 HE P. tecunumanii provenances were artificially inoculated with the pitch canker fungus at 21 and 12 weeks of age, respectively, and assessed for resistance 12–20 weeks later. There was important provenance variation in pitch canker resistance for both species. The 20-week LiveStem percentage ranged from 70.3% to 43.6% among the P. patula provenances and 59.6% to 11.7% among HE P. tecunumanii provenances. There was a geographic pattern to the provenance variation, and in both species, low altitude sources demonstrated more resistance than those from high elevation. Provenance variation in pitch canker resistance could be useful when making selection and breeding decisions with these species.     

Pigeon pea for fallow improvement in slash-and-burn systems in the hills of Laos?

Calliandra calothyrsus has been reported to have potential for agroforestry in the humid lowlands of West and Central Africa. Provenance evaluation of the species was initiated in Yaounde, Cameroon with the objective of identifying adapted provenances with desirable traits for inclusion in evaluation of the management of various agroforestry technologies being developed for the humid lowlands of the region. Fifteen provenance seed collections from Central America and southeast Asian sources were included in the trial. Results indicate that enormous genetic variation exists between these provenances. The highest yielding provenance produced 1.8 and 2.5 times, respectively, wood and leaf biomass compared to the lowest yielding provenance. Most of the provenances evaluated flowered during the first six months after establishment while all the provenances (15) flowered by the end of the first year. However, this initial flowering did not result in productive pod development and seed setting. Two years after planting, the trees were cut at a height of 0.05 m above ground level, and more than 80% of the stumps of all the provenances re-sprouted. Leaf nitrogen content ranged between 2.25% and 2.78% of dry weight. Six provenances had above average values in at least five of the six desirable traits considered i.e.: height, growth, stem development, leaf biomass, wood biomass, leaf litter productivity and total nitrogen content of leaves; these are recommended for further testing for inclusion in appropriate technologies for soil fertility improvement. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Provenance variation in growth and wood properties of juvenile Cyclocarya paliurus

Cyclocarya paliurus is a highly valued and multiple function tree species. There has been increasing interest in planting and managing C. paliurus for timber production and medical use owing to loss of harvestable acreage. Seed from six provenances was collected from the main natural range of this species. Significant variation in growth and wood properties was measured among the six provenances at age 7 years. Provenance mean height and DBH varied significantly from 730–991 and 6.7–10.0 cm, whereas provenance means of wood basic density and crystallinity ranged from 463–554 kg m^?3 and 51.4–74.1 %, respectively. Mean provenance microfibril angle (MFA) at breast height ranged from 18.1° to 23.2°, while MFA at breast height varied from 11.0° to 34.5° among growth rings which showed a consistent pith-to-bark trend of declining angles. There was no significant relationship of growth rate with latitude or longitude of seed sources, however, provenances from low latitude and longitude grew faster at the trial site. Wood quality was significantly related to latitude of seed sources, showing a positive correlation for both wood basic density and wood crystallinity, but a highly negative association with MFA. Significant correlations between wood properties measured indicated that there exists a great opportunity to improve wood quality of C. paliurus through selection of juvenile trees with low MFA.     

Susceptibility and lesion development in Scots pine saplings infected with Peridermium pini in northern Finland

Susceptibility of Pinus sylvestris provenances from northern Finland to Peridermium pini and lesion development caused by the rust were investigated by inoculating 768 saplings. Resin‐top disease symptoms on the stem including stem swelling, occurrence of spermatial fluid and rust aecia, were recorded over a period of 9 years. The disease incidence was low (3.6%), varying within the range of 0–9.4% among pine provenances and 3.4–3.9% among spore sources in 1994–2002. Aecia were produced for the first time 2–4 years after inoculation, appearing mainly in early June, 2–9 years after inoculation. The aecia ruptured in late July to early August, and the overall sporulation lasted for 1–8 years among the pine provenances. Spermatial fluid was observed regularly in the year prior to aecia development 2–7 years after inoculation. Annual fresh swelling was observed for 1–6 years after inoculation. No statistically significant differences occurred neither between the pine provenances, the spore sources nor the years with regard to all the major disease variables. The results suggest that Scots pine provenances from northern Finland are highly resistant to P. pini regardless of the pine provenance or spore source.     

鹅掌楸种源遗传变异和选择评价

在中国鹅掌楸全分布区内抽样15个种源，于长江中下游5省区按统一试验设计营造种源试验林，7年生时全面测定其树高（H）、胸径（DBH）、冠幅（RC）等主要生长性状，进行遗传6变异分析，结果表明：中国鹅掌楸生长性状在种源间存在显著的遗传差异，地点间差异极显著，种源对环境反映灵敏，种源与地点间存在明显的交互作用，H、DBH和材积（V）的广义遗传力分别为0.503、0.526、0.521，受较强的遗传控制；RC受遗传控制程度相对较低（H^2=0.301)。相继进行了遗传稳定性、生长适应性分析和幼成龄相关分析，分析结果为种源选择和评价提供了理论依据，多点综合选择选出黎平、伤痛永两个优良种源，遗传增益11.8%。单点选择分别选出1-3个丰产种源，遗传增益达15.4%-51.5%。     

Variations and phenotypic correlation of growth attributes of Calliandra calothyrsus in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica

Forested land cleared for agriculture in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica rapidly loses its productivity leading to further slash-and-burn cultivation and the degradation of more forest. Contour hedgerows of Calliandra calothyrsus Meissner have been shown to reduce water runoff and soil erosion, and products of the species have a wide range of uses in the local farming community. A trial was established at 1550 m in which the locally naturalised population of C. calothyrsus was compared with seven provenances from across the species' ecological range. There was considerable variation between provenances of C. calothyrsus in all the above-ground growth variables measured and, although the local provenance performed moderately well, it was clear that there is potential to improve the suitability of the species for a range of local uses by the introduction of new provenances. One provenance combined high above-ground productivity with low fine root-length density, especially in the inter-hedgerow area: it offers particular potential for use in simultaneous agroforestry systems providing wood and foliage products whilst not imposing high levels of competition with crop plants for below-ground resources. Although there were significant differences between provenances in the distribution of roots between the hedgerow and inter-row areas, they did not differ in the distribution of roots between soil depths. There were only limited differences between provenances in the response of their subsequent growth to harvesting. However, significant block × provenance interactions suggested that the performance of C. calothyrsus provenances may be difficult to predict between sites and farmers should be encouraged to carry out trial planting of a number of provenances to find those which best match their farm environment and needs.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.