Pathogenicity of canadian isolates of the Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (pinewood nematode) to provenances of Pinus sylvestris and Pinus contorta as grown in Finland: A greenhouse study

Seedlings of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and lodgepole pine (P. contorta Dougl.) provenances, as grown in Finland, were inoculated with “m”; and “r”; “forms”; of the pinewood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) from Canada, an m form isolate from France and an r form isolate from Missouri, USA. Scots pine was highly susceptible to an Alberta r form and a British Columbia m form isolate and moderately susceptible to two Quebec m form isolates. Lodgepole pine was higly susceptible to the two r form (Alberta and Missouri) isolates and moderately susceptible to the British Columbia m form and the two Quebec m form isolates. Mortality of both pines after inoculation with the French isolate was inconsistent. Mortality of both pines occurred more rapidly following inoculation with r form than with m form nematodes. Large numbers of nematodes were generally found in the tissues of both pines. Our results with seedlings need to be corroborated by inoculating larger field‐grown trees.     

Somatic embryogenesis of Pinus sylvestris

Embryogenic cultures (EC) of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) were initiated from immature embryos. Whole ovules were used as expiants. The responsive period for initiation began just after fertilization and remained throughout the development of first stages of early embryos. The main part of the embryogenic cultures were initiated by the time of cleavage polyembryony. Strong correlation was obtained between degree days and the responsive period. During subsequent years the experiments were repeated in Finland and Sweden. In all cases the responsive period for initiating embryogenic cultures was the same, about two weeks after fertilization.

In 1991–1993, a total of 138 clones of elite pine trees were tested for their ability to initiate embryogenic cultures. Of these, 33% were responsive under our experimental conditions. Based on about 300 ovules per clone the number of embryogenic lines induced by the responding clones varied from 0.2% to 9.0% of the expiants.

Several nutrient media were found to be suitable for initiation and proliferation of ECs. About half of the cell lines responded to abscisic acid by producing maturing embryos. The embryos reached full maturity in cultures of only a few cell lines. Some of the embryos that produced roots were planted in soil and transferred to a greenhouse.     

Genetic variation in photoperiodic preconditioning in Pinus sylvestris L. seedlings

Thirty‐two southern Swedish families of Pinus sylvestris L. from a partial 11×11 factorial mating were grown at four night lengths, 3, 5, 7, and 9 h, from the start of their first growth period. At the end of the growth period, the plants were exposed to increasingly longer nights until total growth cessation. During the second and third growth periods, the plants shared the same growing conditions in the growth chambers, starting with two weeks of 6‐h night followed by night prolongation as in the first growth period. The plants from the 9‐h treatment grew more slowly than those from the other treatments in growth periods 2 and 3. The genetic influence of the growing conditions during the first growth period on the height increment during growth periods 2 and 3 was estimated by the female and male by treatment interaction variances. These variance components were relatively small and totally negligible when data from the 9‐h treatment were excluded from the analysis. The data suggest stability in the parents with respect to preconditioning caused by varying photoperiods.     

Survival and strobili production in topgrafted scions from young Pinus sylvestris seedlings

Abstract

Reducing the generation turnover increases the genetic gain in a breeding programme. Topgrafting, new genetic material being grafted into the crown of ramets of reproductive mature trees, can deliver this aim since it is able to induce strobili production in young material of conifers. To this end, I studied the effect of scion age (seedlings of 4–6 years from seed) on topgraft vitality/survival, and female and male strobili production in Pinus sylvestris (L.) over 5 years. The seedlings' growing environment prior to topgrafting had a significant impact on topgraft vitality, with more vital topgrafts obtained from potted seedlings than from seedlings grown in raised nursery beds. However, the growth environment had no clear effect on female or male strobili production. In the second year, after grafting up to 76% of the topgrafted seedlings had female strobili. Vitality increased with age of the seedling from which the scions were collected, but differences in both female and male strobili production were only marginal. The position of the topgraft within the interstock crown influenced both vitality and strobili production, with higher vitality and greater male strobili production in low positions and greater female strobili production in high positions. Based on these results, breeders should perform topgrafting as soon as the seedlings have enough scions for planned crossing activities.     

Effects of provenance transfer on survival in nine experimental series with Pinus sylvestris (L). In northern Sweden

Survival at a mean height of 2.5 m was studied in eight experimental series comprising provenances of Pinus sylvestris (L.). A ninth series of planting experiments was used for verifying functions predicting local provenance survival. The estimated survival of local provenances declined as the temperature sum decreased, with the decline being most rapid close to timberline. Variation in survival within the same climatic region was large, especially in moderately harsh areas. Southward transfer increased survival. Transfer effects differed depending on the temperature sum at the growth site; the greatest effects were found in moderately harsh areas. Altitudinal transfer effects were small and inconsistent. Local provenance survival differed between series. Local provenance survival varied depending on topography and humidity. Transfer effects did not vary between series, nor were they influenced by site factors. Prediction confidence limits were used to estimate the risk for failure of single reforestation attempts.     

Bending strength and modulus of elasticity of Pinus sylvestris round timber from southern Norway

Abstract

To enable use of round Scots pine timber in structural frameworks it is necessary to estimate the mechanical properties of the material. This paper presents data on density, bending strength and modulus of elasticity (MOE) of 533 debarked Scots pine logs with diameter from 75 mm to 250 mm sampled from 10 sites in southern Norway. The results show that round timber can have high values of bending strength and MOE, depending on the sites from which the trees have been collected. Some of the variation in bending properties can be explained by visual characteristics, but since a significant proportion of the residual variance is related to sites, criteria for visual strength grading have to be conservative to be valid across all sites. The potential for machine grading based on measuring MOE is better since this model is more accurate and the random effect of site is smaller.     

Canopy density in stands of Picea abies and Pinus sylvestris after different thinning methods

Altogether 82 plots (261 estimations) of Picea abies (L.) Karst, and 193 plots (360 estimations) of Pinus sylvestris (L.) stands were estimated by a vertical tube. The “crown free projection”, CFP, of stands thinned in three methods with different thinning grades was measured: unthinned, heavily and very heavily thinned, heavily thinned delayed first thinning, extra heavily thinned and thinned from the top. Basal area (m²ha^?1) density (stems ha^?1) and diameter sum (m ha^?1) were plotted against CFP. Basal area was the best practical measure of stand in this study. Generally Scots pine stands have higher CFP and the curves are steeper than in Norway spruce stands. Depending on the grade of thinning, heavily and very heavily thinned spruce stands, delayed first thinning included, have CFP values of 10–15% and stands thinned from the top, 20–40%, compared with 30–80% and 30–60% respectively in pine stands. Extra heavily thinned stands have the highest CFP, 20–80% in spruce and 50–90% in pine stands. The CFP levels after thinning are too high in pine stands for avoidance of sucker and sprout production of aspen and birch. In dense Norway spruce stands thinned from the top or heavily and very heavily thinned, the CFP values are low enough (≤30%) to diminish the production of suckers.     

樟子松优良家系选择

对大、小兴安岭及呼伦贝尔沙地4个产地的樟子松优树在4个地点进行了多年多点重复的半同胞子代测定。根据子代林定植后28年的观测结果,按着家系综合评定标准,对237个樟子松优树子代进行测定评选,评选出罕达盖优良家系11个,卡伦山产地优良家系14个,古莲产地优良家系4个,塔尔根优良家系3个,为建立高世代种子园提供优良物质材料,并为樟子松优良家系生产推广应用提供技术依据。     

人工樟子松幼林改建红松坚果园工艺技术

针对退耕还林后樟子松幼林改建红松坚果园的主要技术问题,进行了详细论述,指出运用好选地、调查设计、林份扶壮、嫁接与管理等工艺技术措施可保证该项技术的成功.     

Predicting knottiness of Pinus sylvestris for use in tree bucking procedures

Abstract

The quality and accompanying value of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) lumber varies markedly in the Nordic countries. Consequently, tree bucking has a great impact on the economic result. The objectives of this study were (1) to analyse which knot characteristics usually reduce pine lumber sawn from the butt-logs to the next quality grade, (2) to determine the most appropriate characteristics that could be used in predicting lumber quality, and (3) to develop models that could be used in practice for predicting the probability of certain quality grades. The study was based on field experiments and test sawing data on 100 Scots pine stems from south-western Finland. Since the results showed that the maximum dead knot is the most crucial knot characteristic when the first cross-cutting point is determined, models were created that predict the height of the first dead knot that lowers grade A to B (B-grade dead knot). Both early growth rate and dead branch height should be measured to predict pine butt-log quality. Early growth rate seems to be appropriate in predicting between-stand variation, while dead branch height is appropriate for predicting within-stand variation.     

Simulation of the long-term effects of different strategies for precommercial thinning in Pinus sylvestris

The influence of the intensity and timing of precommercial thinning (PCT) on stand development and financial return was studied in Scots pine stands. Functions describing the early development of the stand structure after PCT were developed. The functions were based on 195 plots within 41 PCT experiments in Sweden. The dimension distribution of the established stand was estimated and used as input to the decision support system Heureka, to simulate the stand development until final felling. The studied treatments included PCT to 1000, 2000 and 3000?stems?ha^?1 at mean heights of 2, 4 and 6 m. Separate simulations were carried out for different site fertilities. Mean annual volume increment increased with increasing number of stems after PCT whereas the timing of PCT had only a small effect. The land expectation value (LEV) generally decreased with increasing mean height at PCT, primarily because of the increased cost of PCT. LEV decreased with increasing number of stems after PCT at low fertility sites whereas only minor differences were found for PCT to 1000 and 2000?stems?ha^?1 at medium and high fertility sites. The general pattern persisted when different scenarios of future timber quality were simulated.     

樟子松遗传改良研究现状及育种策略

在综述樟子松引种概况、地理变异与种源试验、优良林分选择与母树林营建、优树选择与种子园建设和杂交育种等遗传改良研究现状的基础上,针对存在的问题提出了今后的育种策略,尤其要重视遗传资源的收集、改建或营建高世代种子园、开展无性系育种以及分子辅助育种技术等方面的研究.     

Assessment of early survival and growth of planted Scots pine(Pinus sylvestris) seedlings under extreme continental climate conditions of northern Mongolia

Environmental factors play vital roles in successful plantation and cultivation of tree seedlings.This study focuses on problems associated with reforestation under extreme continental climatic conditions.The objectives were to assess relative seedling performance(survival and growth)with respect to plantation age,and to analyze the influence of specific climatic factors during the early stages of Scots pine(Pinus sylvestris L.)plantations.The study was carried out in reforested areas of the Tujyin Nars region of northern Mongolia on six Scots pine plantations ranging from 5 to 10 years.In each of the six plantations,five 900 m^2 permanent sample plots were established and survival rates and growth performance measured annually over 7 years.Results show high variation in survival among the plantations(p<0.001,F=29.7).Seedling survival in the first year corresponded directly to the number of dry days in May.However,survival rate appeared to stabilize after the second year.The insignificant variation of height categories throughout the observation period indicated low competition among individuals.Two linear mixed-effect models show that height and radial growth were best explained by relative air humidity,which we consider to be a reliable indicator of site-specific water availability.Insufficient amounts and uneven distribution of rainfall pose a major threat during the first year of plantation establishment.Humidity and water availability are decisive factors for a successful seedling plantation.This highlights the impact of drought on forest plantations in northern Mongolia and the importance of developing climate resilient reforestation strategies.     

Gains from selecting Pinus sylvestris in southern Sweden for volume per hectare

Abstract

An overall objective of the Swedish Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) tree breeding programme is to increase volume production. Selection is based on height at young age as an indicator of future volume production. This study examined the relationship between height at young age and volume production in block-plots at older ages, and the sustainability of increased growth in volume per unit area using parent breeding values. The study included five trials with controlled pollinated progenies from 71 phenotypically selected plus-trees. Height and diameter were measured in the trials at ages ranging from 7 to 36 years. The genetic correlation between height at 9 years and volume growth per unit area at 30 years of age was 0.8. The additive genetic coefficient of variation for growth per area unit was 17% at the age of 30 years, i.e. first thinning. Based on the estimated parameters, selection of the best 25% genetic entries according to their height at age 9 years resulted in 13% volume gain at age of 30 years, while selection of the 10% best resulted in 18% volume gain. The plus-tree progenies had 12% higher volume growth per unit area than the unimproved commercial check lots, and this difference needs to be added to obtain the total gains. This means that selection of the 25% best parents gave a gain of 25% in volume per hectare compared with unimproved check lots.     

人工樟子松林生物量预估模型的研究

根据标准地、解析木及生物量调查资料,建立了人工樟子松林叶、枝、干及全树生物量预估模型,并对模型参数进行了小样本t检验。结果表明,地上生物量与胸径密切相关,樟子松生物量随着树龄的增长而增加,y=aDb Hc为该地区人工樟子松林叶量、枝量、干量和全树生物量的最优模型。     

Cortical monoterpene variation in natural populations of Pinus sylvestris in Sweden

Cortical oleoresins were obtained from 10 natural populations of Pinus sylvestris L. from different geographical localities. Gas chromatography was used to determine quantities of individual monoterpenes. Considerable variation was found in monoterpene composition among different populations. High proportions of limonene occurred in greater percentages in trees of northern origins, while high sabinene was frequently found in southern trees. Mean proportions of limonene and sabinene in the populations were clinal with latitude. For some monoterpenes, variation coefficients as a measure of variability within populations appeared to be clinal with latitude. 85.4% of the variance in monoterpene composition was found within populations and 14.6 between populations. Discriminant analysis differentiates populations from different geographical localities into different groups. The differences in monoterpene patterns between adjacent populations were statistically nonsignificant. It is recommended that monoterpene composition be used for more general study of genetic variation, geographical distinction between different populations and seed certification purposes.     

A model for the relationship between branch number and biomass in Pinus sylvestris crowns and the effect of crown shape and stand density on branch and stem biomass

The branch biomass of young Scots pines (Pinus sylvestris L.) was inversely related to the branch number per projected crown area giving greater branch density and smaller branch biomass for narrow crowns than for broad crowns. In particular, in dense stands the small share of branches from the total biomass of narrow‐crowned trees was emphasized. The productivity of narrow crowned trees was, however, smaller than that of trees with broad crowns. The concept of the tree ideotype has been discussed on the basis of theoretical calculations.     

欧洲赤松的引种栽培

通过欧洲赤松30年的引种试验,结果表明：欧洲赤松在小陇山林区表现出较强的适应性和生长优势.在生长、抗落叶病性状上优于乡土树种油松.麦积植物园30年生欧洲赤松平均树高、胸径分别达13.60m和22.8 cm,生长量与乡土树种油松相当.已完成从种子到种子的引种过程,欧洲赤松在甘肃小陇山引种获得成功.     

樟子松遗传改良研究概述

对樟子松遗传改良20多年的研究工作进行了全面总结，在樟子松种源选择与区划、樟子松形态类型、种子园及母树林营建技术、子代测定与家系选择及综合选育遗传增益等方面的研究，取得了可喜成果，为樟子松生产提供了有益的参考。     

Background pollination in Pinus sylvestris seed orchards

The proportion of background pollen grains in the seed crops of two Pinus sylvestris seed orchards in Central Finland was estimated with the aid of multilocus allozyme markers. The orchards studied were more than 30 years old and in full pollen production. For the bulked seed crops of the seed orchard with southern clones the estimated average of background pollination over four years was 26%. There were statistically significant differences between years. No significant heterogeneity in the degree of background pollination between clones was found. Among single ramets there was significant heterogeneity in the estimated contamination rates, but the variation was not related to position in the orchard. For the seed orchard with northern clones the bulked seed crop was studied only for one year and the level of background pollination was found to be 33 %. These estimates are fairly high, but lower than for many other orchards. Background pollination at this level will cause losses in expected genetic gains. Part of the seeds from northern orchards will not be adapted to the intended area of use.