Growth and phenology variation in progeny of Scots pine seed orchards and commercial seed stands

Tree improvement in Poland has been most advanced for Scots pine, but existing seed orchards have not been progeny-tested yet. We examined variation in growth traits—tree height at ages 4 and 8 years, and diameter at age 13 years—in the common garden experiment testing open-pollinated progenies of 31 seed orchards and 5 commercial seed stands (referred to as populations) at 5 locations. We also examined bud burst phenology at two to five sites at three growing seasons. At one experimental site during the 5th growing season, we measured shoot growth rhythm on all populations. Similar measurements of shoot growth were done on a subset of populations during the 6th growing season together with the analysis of needle growth and foliar chemistry. We found significant variation among populations in growth traits, but also significant population × site (G × E) interactions. We used the regression approach and ecovalence analysis to examine populations’ performance stability. Most populations had average responsiveness to environment, and a set of least-responsive poor-growing populations contributed the most to the G × E interaction. Variation in bud burst phenology was associated with geographical distribution of tested progenies. The early bud-bursting populations originated from the north-eastern to north-central Poland, and a group of late bud-bursting populations originated mainly from the south-eastern region. Correlations between bud burst and growth traits were weak to medium and varied by site, but early bud-bursting populations tended to show stronger growth on height and diameter. We found significant differences among populations in final leader length, shoot elongation time and relative growth rate (RGR). However, RGR and shoot elongation time explained less than 30% of variation in leader length and were weakly correlated with tree height. Populations varied in needle length, specific leaf area and foliar nitrogen concentration, but time trends in these traits did not vary among populations or predefined groups of populations. Therefore, the analysis of growth rhythm or needle traits did not help resolve variation in tree growth to support selection decisions. Contrary to our expectation, progeny of seed orchards did not perform significantly better than that of commercial seed stands. This finding, however, should not be extrapolated beyond our set of populations. Nonetheless, the local seed sources were not always the best. From a selection standpoint, our results help culling the worst populations rather than selecting the best ones. Therefore, testing individual family progeny and genetic roguing of existing seed orchards is highly recommended.     

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.     

Phenotypic Differences Between Natural and Selected Populations of Picea Abies. II. Apical Mitotic Activity and Growth Related Parameters

Apical mitotic index (MI) and growth of non-juvenile Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] populations growing in northern Sweden (63°54' N) were monitored in 1996. Annual leader shoot lengths and shoot growth components for the period 1990-1997 were measured in 1997. In 1997 populations transferred more than approximately 3° in latitude were found to be shorter than local populations. MI levels were initially high in all populations in mid-April. In spring, populations originating north of 63°30' N showed higher MI levels, and started shoot growth earlier, than populations originating further south. In autumn, MI levels were higher in populations originating south of 63°30' N than in populations originating further north and higher in seed orchard populations than in natural populations of similar latitudinal origin. The number of stem-units (NSU) was correlated with tree height and leader shoot length. NSU and elongation of stem-units appeared to be primarily influenced by summer temperature. Prolonged MI activity in autumn did not result in high NSU but appeared to be associated with a higher risk of frost damage to buds. The results are discussed in relation to climatic factors, seed transfer, selection and inherent growth rhythms.     

Growth Cessation and Autumn-frost Hardiness in One-year-old Picea abies Progenies from Seed Orchards and Natural Stands

One-year-old seedlings of Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] from seed orchards and natural stands were compared with respect to growth cessation and autumn-frost hardiness. The correlation among traits related to growth, growth cessation and frost hardiness on the same plants in two sets of environmental conditions was assessed. Total height, the degrees of shoot lignification and frost hardiness, and the timing of height growth cessation and budset were recorded at two nurseries in central and northern Sweden. Nine seed-orchard seed-lots were compared with seed from 26 natural stands originating from 56° N to 66° N in Sweden. Latitude explained 55-87% of the statistical variation among stands in the analysed traits at the central nursery and 49-84% at the northern nursery. On average, the seed-orchard progeny performed similarly to progeny from natural stands located 1-2° south of the origin of the seed-orchard clones. Reference material representing a geographical gradient was found to be a valuable aid when interpreting the results of growth cessation and frost-hardiness evaluations.     

Provenance Variation in Seed Morphometric Traits, Germination, and Seedling Growth of Cordia africana Lam

Patterns of genetic variation in Cordia africana, a tropical timber species, were evaluated at the population level. Bulk seed samples were collected from six natural populations in Ethiopia and examined for variations in seed morphometric traits, seed germination, and seedling growth at nursery stage. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among provenances in all studied attributes except root collar diameter after 4 months of growth. The provenance effect, as determined by broad sense heritability, was 71–98% for seed morphometric traits, 80% for germination capacity, 42% for germination energy, 57–58% for seedling height and 3–13% for root collar diameter. Seed weight showed a significant positive correlation with altitude and negative correlation with mean annual temperature of seed origin. Germination energy was significantly correlated with longitude and mean annual rainfall. Seedling parameters and geo-climatic variables of seed origin were fairly correlated. A significant intercharacter correlation was found between seed length and seed weight, between root collar diameter at the age of 4 months and seed length and weight, as well as between seedling height after 4 and 8 months of growth. It can be concluded that the observed patterns of variation will have implications for genetic resources conservation and tree improvement.     

Genetic evaluation of twenty seed sources of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Asparagus racemosus</Emphasis>

A field trial of 20 seed sources of Asparagus racemosus was conducted at the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India to evaluate their performance of different economic traits. Genotypic variance, phenotypic variance, genotypic coefficient of variance (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variance (PCV) for number of shoots, shoot height, shoot weight, number of roots, root length, root diameter and root weight were calculated. Maximum genotypic and phenotypic variance was observed in shoot height among the shoot — related traits and root length among the root — related traits. For the shoot height, genotypic variance, phenotypic variance, genotypic coefficient of variance, phenotypic coefficient of variance were 231.80, 3924.80, 61.26 and 1037.32, respectively, where those of the root length were 9.55, 16.80, 23.46 and 41.27, respectively. The maximum genetic advance and genetic gain were obtained for shoot height among the shoot-related traits and root length among the root-related traits. Index values were developed for all the seed sources based on the four most important traits, and Panthnagar (Uttrakhand), Jodhpur (Rajasthan), Dehradun (Uttarakhand), Chandigarh (Punjab), Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) and Solan (Himachal Pradesh), were promising seed sources for root production.     

Variation analysis and fine family selection on half-sib progenies from clonal seed orchard of Pinus massoniana

Variation of traits that include height, diameter at breast height (DBH), stem volume, crown width, straightness, wood basic density, tracheid length and width of open-pollinated progenies from clonal seed orchard of Pinus massoniana was analyzed. Differences in traits such as growth, tree form and wood quality among families was significant, which indicated that the improvement potential was notable. Heritability of height and wood basic density reached 0.691 and 0.640, respectively. According to a correlation analysis between traits, stem straightness could be improved indirectly when growth traits are improved; growth traits were significantly correlated with wood basic density; and wood basic density was not significantly correlated with length and width of the tracheid. Under the selection ratio of 10%, genetic gains were 19.74% and 19.32% respectively, and selected families from the progeny test stands at the age of five years and eight years were the same. Genetic correlation of height, DBH and stem volume was also significant at the level of 0.01. These show that selection of the short rotation of P. massoniana for pulp and paper use would be efficient for five-year-old trees. According to the comparison of the heritability of all the traits and taking into account the result of canonical correlation analysis, height could be considered as the most important index for selection. Given wood quality of all the families, and flowering and fruit settings of the clones in a seed orchard, twelve fine families were selected at 10% selection ratio of height growth and stem volume. Translated from Scientia Silvae Sinicae, 2005, 41(6): 43–49 [译自: 林业科学]     

Quantitative variation among Kenyan populations of Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. for gum production, seed and growth traits

Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. is an African leguminous multipurpose tree species belonging to subfamily Mimosoideae and subgenus Aculeiferum, highly valued for gum arabic production. This study estimated the genetic diversity within and among Kenyan populations of the species in the Bulla Sambul, Kutulo, Wamba and Meisori populations based on 12 quantitative traits, which included; tree height, diameter at breast height (DBH), number of branches, bark thickness, gum weight and various pod and seed traits on 20 randomly selected trees in every population. Duncan’s multiple range test (DMRT) and the dendrogram distinctively divided the populations into two groups; Wamba and Meisori in one group while Bulla Sambul and Kutulo in the other, indicating geographical structuring of the genetic variability. The trees were larger, taller with greater pod and seed traits in the Wamba and Meisori than the Bulla Sambul and Kutulo populations. Contrarily, trees had lighter seeds, more branches with higher gum weight in the Kutulo and Bulla Sambul than the Wamba and Meisori populations. The Shannon–Weaver diversity index (H), depicted 1,000-seed weight as the most varied trait across the populations. These findings provide essential information on the genetic diversity of the species, necessary for delineation of particular zones for seed sources for germplasm conservation, selection for domestication and improved gum arabic production.     

6个栓皮栎种源种子形态及其幼苗生长的比较

[Objective]To compare the differences of seed morphological characters among provinces of Quercus variabilis Bl.,and explore the adaptive growth status of seedlings growing in the central distribution area. [Method]The seeds of 6 Q. variabilis provenances from six provinceswerecollected, and the seedlings were cultivated and transplanted to experimental field in the centre of natural distribution range (Wuhan Jiufeng National Forest Park), then the seed morphology and one-year seedling growth traitswere surveyed. [Result](1)There were significantor extremely significantdifferences among provenances in seed length, seed width, seed length/width ratio and 100-seed mass, the order of seed length among provenances was Beijing Provenance (22.28 mm),Hubei Provenance (22.10 mm), He'nan Provenance (20.80 mm), Shaanxi Provenance (19.57 mm), Yunnan Provenance (18.93 mm)and Liaoning Provenance (18.81 mm), the seed width of Beijing Provenance (19.71 mm) and Hubei Provenance (19.16 mm) was higher than that of the others, the seed length/width ratio of He'nan Provenance (1.38) was extremely significantly higher than that of the others; (2)There were significant or extremely significant differences among provenances in seedling height, ground diameter, leaf number, branching number and seedling height/ground diameter, the Beijing Provenance and Hubei Provenance were better in seedling height and leaf number, which were respectively 19.54 cm and 20.26 cm, 8.32 leaves and 9.50 leaves; (3)A decreasing trend with time for seedling growth traits among provenances was found; (4)There was a positive relationship between seed morphological characters and seedling growth traits except seed length/width ratio; the leaf number was significantly related to ground diameter and branching number and the seedling height and leaf number were closely related to the seed morphological characters; (5)It showed a decreasing trend with the growth time in the relationship between seedling growth traits and 100-seed mass. [Conclusion]The seedlings of Beijing Provenance and Hubei Provenance grew better in the experimental field which might be related to their larger seed mass, and the Yunnan Provenance in the south margin and the Liaoning Provenance in the north margin of distribution area of Q. variabilis grew weaker than the provenances in the centre of distribution area.With the effect of climate change, provenances in the margin of distribution area may lose in the community competition in the seedling stage if it cannot take advantage of its dispersal and settlement and affected by the disadvantage of growth and competition, so that the distribution and population renewal would surely be affected.     

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.     

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.     

木荷地理遗传变异和优良种源初选

在2005年底,对福建建瓯、浙江淳安和庆元的3年生37个产地的木荷种源试验林进行了全面调查,系统研究了幼林生长和分枝性状的种源差异、种源与环境互作及地理变异模式.结果表明:木荷树高、当年抽梢长度、地径、冠幅及侧枝总数、侧枝长和侧枝粗等分枝性状都存在显著的种源效应,木荷地理种源分化明显.造林区立地生境和造林地立地条件对木荷种源生长影响显著,如福建建瓯点3年生种源平均树高较北缘区浙江淳安点和高海拔山地浙江庆元点分别提高了24.1%和18.0%.木荷树高、当年抽梢长度、冠幅、侧枝总数等存在显著的种源×地点和种源×重复/地点互作,不同种源在各区试点上的生长相对表现差异显著.相关分析表明,木荷生长和分枝性状的地理变异模式因区试点环境条件差异而迥异.在中心分布区的福建建瓯点,种源生长和分枝性状与产地纬度相关性显著,呈典型的纬向地理变异模式,速生种源主要来源于分布区的中南部;在北缘区的浙江淳安点,种源高径生长与产地经纬度相关性较小,仅发现侧枝总数和树冠浓密度与产地纬度呈一定程度的负相关,速生种源主要来源于分布区的中部;而在较高海拔区的浙江庆元点,由于环境相对恶劣,木荷种源生长和分枝性状与产地纬度呈显著的正相关,偏北部种源的早期生长表现较好.基于种源幼林测定结果,分别从中心分布区和北缘区初选了一批速生用材和生物防火优良种源.     

Genetic variation in seasonal growth patterns in radiata pine in Galicia (northern Spain)

Shoot elongation patterns in 2 and 3-year-old Pinus radiata seedlings were monitored twice a month during 2003 and once a month during 2004 in three progeny tests in northern Spain. Fifty-eight half-sib families were studied. Several annual growth parameters were measured in each seedling: initiation, termination and duration of height growth and number of new buds formed each year. Total height, internode length and frost resistance were also measured in each seedling. The variation in these traits among families and sites was studied, as well as the effects of environmental parameters (temperature and rainfall) on growth phenology patterns. The extent to which bud phenology is genetically controlled and related to growth traits was examined. Families differed significantly in total summer shoot growth and number of summer flushes (lammas growth). The number of cycles produced per year ranged from one to four. Monocyclic families grew throughout the year, whereas polycyclic families grew episodically, depending on rainfall.     

Modelling the epigenetic response of increased temperature during reproduction on Norway spruce phenology

Temperature during seed maturation can induce an epigenetic memory effect in growth phenology of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) that lasts for several years. To quantify the epigenetic modifications induced by natural climatic variation, common garden experiments with plants originating from different provenances and seed years were performed. Plants from warmer seed years showed delayed phenology with later bud flush, bud set and growth cessation. This effect was quantified by linear models of phenology traits as a function of climate indices for the origin and seed year of the plants. Significant effects of the temperature during seed production (seed year) was found for the bud set in seedlings in their first growing season and for bud flush and growth cessation in the 7th-8th growing season from seed. The models suggest that growth start and growth cessation are delayed 0.7–1.8 days per 100 additional degree days experienced by the seed during embryo development and seed maturation. Models that include factors that are known to induce epigenetic effects could be used to better predict future performance of forest reproductive material.     

The effect of carbon and nutrient loading during nursery culture on the growth of black spruce seedlings: a six-year field study

We tested the effects of exponential nutrient loading and springtime carbon loading during nursery culture on the field performance of black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.). Seedlings were grown from seed with a conventional, fixed dose fertilizer (10 mg N seedling⁻¹) or an exponential nutrient loading regime (75 mg N seedling⁻¹). The following spring, seedlings were exposed for two weeks to either ambient (370 ppm) or elevated levels of CO₂ (800 ppm) and then planted in the field; seedling growth was followed for the next six years. Exponential nutrient loading increased seedling height, stem diameter and leader growth, with the largest increases in height and leader length occurring in the first three years after outplanting. Carbon loading increased seedling height and leader length, but only in seedlings that had been exponentially nutrient loaded. A combination of carbon and nutrient loading increased shoot height 26%, stem diameter 37% and leader length 40% over trees that received neither treatment. These results demonstrate that the growth enhancement seen under exponential nutrient loading is maintained under field conditions for at least six years. Carbon loading just before outplanting was a useful supplement to nutrient loading, but was ineffective in the absence of nutrient loading.     

Variation in seed and seedling traits and their relations to geo-climatic factors among populations in Yunnan Pine (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus yunnanensis</Emphasis>)

Differences in seed germination and seedling growth among populations of Pinus yunnanensis Franch. were quantified to provide information for use in the regeneration, reforestation, and improvement of this species. Seed germination and seedling growth traits at the nursery stage were investigated at the population level. We evaluated relationships between pairs of measured traits as well as the association between measured traits and geo-climatic variables including longitude, latitude, elevation, temperature and precipitation. Seedling growth showed significant differences although a low magnitude of variation was found in the seed germination traits among the populations. Some populations with strong and stable growth (e.g., the Baoshan population) may be selected as superior seed sources for regeneration and reforestation. Germination percentage was negatively correlated with elevation, and positively with precipitation. In addition, germination index, vigor index and seedling height were positively correlated with precipitation. Seed germination index, cotyledon number and length, and seedling diameter were significantly and positively correlated with seed weight. Strong correlations between pairs of traits will be helpful in early evaluations for the selection of certain prominent traits.     

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.     

Provenance and family variation in growth performance of Eucalyptus tereticornis (Sm.) in a provenance cum progeny trial in Midnapore, India

Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm. is an important species for agroforestry and commercial plantations in India. Results of a combined provenance–progeny trial of E. tereticornis laid out in 2002 at Midnapore (West Bengal) located in eastern tropical region of India are reported and discussed. Twelve provenances representing 70 families from Australia and Papua New Guinea were evaluated up to the age of 3 years. As a local seed source open-pollinated seed collected from a land race, i.e., Mysore gum (commonly known as Eucalyptus hybrid) was used to serve as check material (control). Significant variation in plant height, clean stem height, girth at breast height (GBH) and field survival was observed due to provenances, as well as families within provenances. This offers an ample scope to a breeder for increasing the growth and productivity in E. tereticornis through selection of provenances and families having potential for higher productivity. Heritability (narrow sense) values were appreciable for growth traits. Within provenance individual tree heritability estimates for height, clean stem length, GBH and number of branches at age 3 years were 0.318, 0.215, 0.269 and 0.231, respectively (assuming a coefficient of relationship of 0.4 for open-pollinated families of E. tereticornis). Provenance of Walsh River, Queensland Australia performed best for plant height, clean stem height, GBH, number of branches and field survival. Apart from this, the provenance from Oro bay to Emo, Papua New Guinea and Burdekin river, Queensland also showed good performance. Provenance from Yurammie, SF from New South Wales performed poorest for growth and survival. Correlations on growth traits were high and statistically significant, indicating that substantial gains could be achieved through indirect selection for one trait based on the direct selection for another. Age–age genetic correlations between age 1 and 3 years for the growth traits were highly significant and positive. Geographic clinal variation pattern was observed as latitude was negatively correlated with height and GBH (P < 0.05); longitude with number of branches (negative, P < 0.05). Fair differences were observed between phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variability.     

Intra-annual height increment of Pinus sylvestris at high latitudes in Finland

Intra-annual height growth of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in four stands was followed for up to four growing seasons (2000-2003) in the northern boreal zone in Lapland. Elongation of the leader shoot correlated with temperature sum expressed as degree-days. Total length of the leader shoot correlated with growth rate but not with duration of the height-growth period. The longer the annual shoot at the end of the season, the greater the height increment per degree- and growing day. Height-growth cessation was defined as the date when 95% of the total shoot length was achieved. In all stands and all years, height growth ceased when, on average, 41% of the relative temperature sum of the site was achieved (range of variation 38-43%). The relative temperature sum was calculated by dividing the actual temperature sum by the long-term mean for the site. Our results suggest that annual height growth is finished when a location-specific temperature sum threshold is attained.     

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.