Annual and spatial variation in coning shown by the Forest Condition Monitoring programme data for Norway spruce, Sitka spruce and Scots pine in Britain

Conifer seed is a valuable forest resource; as well as beingreproductive material, it is an important foodstuff for manywoodland species. Information on cone and therefore seed productionof the main forest species are useful in the fields of bothforest management and forest ecology. Coning has been recordedsince 1989 in plots of Norway spruce, Sitka spruce and Scotspine across Britain as part of the Forestry Commission's ForestCondition Monitoring programme. An 11-year period of these recordswas analysed and a summary of annual cone production by speciesand coning synchrony is presented. Both Norway spruce and Sitkaspruce coned sporadically, with a 4-year period between mastcrops during which cone density was very low or cone productionabsent, whereas Scots pine produced a good cone crop in mostyears throughout Britain. Coning was synchronous within andbetween Norway and Sitka spruce across the whole of Britain(at distances >600 km) but coning within Scots pine was insynchrony only over distances of up to 200 km. Synchrony ofcone production was not evident between the spruce species andScots pine. These findings have implications when planning andinterpreting monitoring used to predict cone crops and in thedesign of forests for wildlife conservation.     

Relationship between nuclear DNA markers and physiological parameters in Sitka x interior spruce populations

Eight populations of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) and interior spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss x Picea engelmannii Parry ex. Engelm.) seedlings were sampled from a zone of Sitka-interior spruce introgression in British Columbia, Canada. Restriction fragment length polymorphisms of the nuclear ribosomal RNA genes (rDNA) were used to define species-specific hybridization patterns for the Sitka spruce and interior spruce populations. Hybridization was estimated from an index based on the relative abundance of polymorphic rDNA combining bands for each population. Sitka x interior hybrid seedlings had an index value for the relative abundance of interior spruce rDNA (Si-rDNA) ranging from 0.07 (Lower Nass; the most westerly collected source) to 0.95 (Bulkley Valley low-elevation seed orchard). During shoot elongation, osmotic potential at saturation (Psi(sat)) and turgor loss point (Psi(tlp)) increased, whereas total turgor (Psi(PTotal)) decreased. After bud set in the summer and throughout the fall, Psi(sat) and Psi(tlp) decreased, whereas Psi(PTotal) increased. At all times of year, populations with a higher Si-rDNA index had lower Psi(tlp) and Psi(sat) and higher Psi(PTotal) than populations with a lower Si-rDNA index. During the fall, Sitka x interior hybrid seedlings exhibited a seasonal decline in the temperature causing 50% needle electrolyte leakage (LT(50)) and in the critical temperature indicating the initial point of freezing injury. Seedlings with a higher Si-rDNA index had lower LT(50) and critical temperature values indicating greater freezing tolerance in the fall. Throughout most of the year, seedling population Si-rDNA index was related to the degree of drought and freezing tolerance.     

Vegetative Propagation of Conifers as a means of Intensifying Wood Production In Britain

Estimates suggest that intensified silviculture using improvedgenotypes could raise productivity of existing forests in Britainby 30 per cent, thus reducing reliance upon imported timber.This increase is most readily attainable in upland coniferousforests where Sitka spruce is the major species. Superior families of Sitka spruce can now be identified witha ten per cent increase in vigour over ordinary seed lots. However,supplies of improved seed will not be available in significantquantities until after 2000. Research into vegetative propagationwas begun to speed the introduction of improved material intocommerce. Early work on the propagation of superior clones failedbecause of problems of maturation. Subsequent investigationhas concentrated upon propagation of young individuals of improvedgenotypes grown from seed produced by artificial pollinationof tested clones. Techniques for larne-scale production of rootedcuttings of these improved genotypes have now been successfullydeveloped. Following favourable hancial appraisals. commercialtrials of the svstem are under way. Based on experience with Sitka spruce, three preconditions areproposed ;or largescale propagation programmes. These are useof cutting from young parents, propagation of proven superiorgenotypes, and use of the technique with material in short supply.The possible role of vegetative propagation for other commerciallyimportant conifers is discussed with only Hybrid larch consideredpromising. Some implications for broadleaves and the potentialrole of tissue culture are mentioned.     

Seed cone abortion and full seed production in an indoor seed orchard with potted grafts of Picea abies

Abortion of seed cones and production of full seeds have been recorded in an indoor‐potted Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) seed orchard at Biri nursery in Norway. Seed cone buds aborted their normal development at much higher frequencies (22–45%) inside isolation bags than in an open‐air (4–12%) greenhouse environment. The grafts had been induced to flower the year prior to seed cone development. Treatment with gibberellin A_4/7 in conjunction with heat reduced the proportion of aborted, isolated flowers (13%) compared to treatment with heat alone (22%) in a clonally balanced material. The production of full seeds per cone increased from 3 in 1987 to 50 in 1991. The full seed production is discussed in relation to methods and timing of pollen forcing. It is anticipated that 1 kg of seeds could be produced annually in a 1250 m² greenhouse.     

Variation of Density and Growth Ring Width in Stems of Sitka and Norway Spruce

The variation with height and radial distance from the pithof basic density and ring width has been determined in stemsof 48-year-old Sitka and Norway spruce planted at two spacingsat Durris, Kincardineshire. The pattern of radial variationof density was broadly similar at all heights: high near thepith, falling to a minimum and then a gradual increase. Themean whole-stem densities were significantly different at thetwo spacings in Sitka but not in Norway spruce. Density at breastheight was inversely correlated with ring width, strongly inSitka but weakly in Norway spruce. The density/ ring width regressionequation for outer wood in Sitka spruce at age 48 differed fromthat at age 31. In Norway spruce a high correlation was foundbetween whole-stem density and the density of rings 16–25at breast height.     

Newcone and seed pests collected in Northeastern ChinaBarbara fulgens Kuznetsov (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) the lustrous spruce cone moth

This paper is the first of a series dealing with morphological characteristics, biological cycle and damage importance of insect species newly identified as cone and seed pests in Northeastern China. The spruce cone mothBarbara fulgens appears to be a serious pest of korean spruce cones in Heilongjiang province.     

Chrysomyxa ledi,a new rust fungus sporulating in cone scales of Picea abies in Finland

Abstract

Seasonal fruiting and sporulation of cone rusts were investigated in Norway spruce cones during the growing season of 2007, a year after an excellent cone crop and a severe outbreak of rust. Current-year and 1-year-old cones were collected bimonthly to monthly from case-stands in southern and northern Finland and checked for rust fruitbodies. A previously unreported species of rust formed spermogonia and aecia, and sporulated on the cone scales of Norway spruce in two study areas. Morphologically, the rust was distinct from other spruce cone rusts and, based on ultrastructure of aecia and aeciospores, most closely resembled Chrysomyxa ledi. Molecular analysis of the aeciospores confirmed that the rust belonged to the C. ledi/C. rhododendri complex. The rust fruited frequently but only colonized a few scales per cone and presumably had a minor effect on cone development and seed crop.     

Autumn frost damage: clonal variation in Sitka spruce

Current-year needles of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) can be injured by frost after hardening of stem and buds in the autumn, and in Scotland trees of southern provenances are most susceptible to damage. In October 1993 a frost of −5°C caused needle damage to clonal plants of Alaskan, Queen Charlotte Islands, and Washington provenances of Sitka spruce that had been selected for variation in the onset of root dormancy. Visual damage assessment revealed significant differences among clones in the severity of damage, and this damage was positively correlated with the lateness of root dormancy. Measurement of electrolyte leakage from shoot samples confirmed the observed differences between clones. The large clonal differences in frost hardiness found in this study demonstrate a potential for selecting frost tolerant trees from within southern provenances of Sitka spruce.     

Relationships between gas exchange adaptation of Sitka x interior spruce genotypes and ribosomal DNA markers

Adaptive physiological changes were investigated in seven populations of Sitka (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) x interior spruce (P. glauca (Moench) Voss x P. engelmannii Parry ex Engelm.) spanning the Nass-Skeena transition zone in British Columbia, Canada. Each population was represented by an Si rDNA index that was calculated from the relative optical densities on a gel autoradiogram of five ribosomal DNA bands characteristic of Sitka spruce and interior spruce. This index estimates the proportion of the genome contributed by interior spruce. Physiological adaptations were assessed by gas exchange parameters measured under both well-watered and drought conditions. Under well-watered conditions, Sitka spruce populations had higher maximal photosynthesis at saturating light and ambient CO(2), higher quantum yield at the light compensation point, and higher dark respiration than interior spruce populations. Sitka spruce populations also reached maximal photosynthesis at lower photosynthetically active radiation and higher CO(2) concentrations, and had higher stomatal densities that resulted in lower stomatal limitations to photosynthesis than interior spruce populations. In contrast, interior spruce populations exhibited greater drought tolerance than Sitka spruce populations. Their gas exchange rates declined at a slower rate in response to drought. They maintained higher gas exchange rates in response to moderate to severe drought (predawn plant water potentials = -1.5 MPa), and their photosynthetic rates recovered faster when they were rewatered after exposure to drought. Comparison of the seven populations indicated that physiological parameters were significantly related to the Si rDNA index. An increase in Si rDNA index was associated with proportional changes in physiological measurements, suggesting that genetic interchange among species with contrasting ecological adaptations can enhance the environmental adaptation of natural populations.     

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.     

Seed-cone receptivity and seed production potential in white spruce

Three to five ramets were selected from each of five white spruce clones for the study. Seed cones (megastrobili) were pollinated once and some were sampled at the different stages of development to study the pollination mechanism, seed-cone receptivity, and seed production potential.The proximal end of a seed cone emerged from the bud scales and was the area to be receptive first. As the seed cones continued to develop, the margins of the cone scales became reflexed to increase the surface area and to funnel pollen along the margins of two adjacent scales onto the micropylar arms. Pollen was transferred to a deep depression in the nucellus and it germinated in the depression a weel after pollination. Another week later the micropyle was sealed by the ingrowth and divisions of the cells in the micropylar canal. Receptivity of a seed cone lasted for about 10 days and the end of receptivity was signalled by the closure of cone scales.The optimal receptivity appeared to occur when seed cones approached the end of receptivity and this coincided with the peak of pollen shedding. It was evident that seed cones pollinated at this stage produced the most filled seeds, an average of 41.6 from a seed production potential of 88 seeds per cone. Total cone scales averaged 67.7 per cone of which 43.6 scales were fertile and located at the mid-portion of a cone.     

Relationships between gas exchange and carbon isotope discrimination of Sitka x interior spruce introgressive genotypes and ribosomal DNA markers

Effects of hybridization on physiological performance were investigated in seven natural introgressive populations and one F(1) population of Sitka (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) x interior spruce (P. glauca (Moench) Voss. x P. engelmannii Parry ex Engelm.). Each population was represented by a Sitka-interior spruce ribosomal DNA (Si rDNA) index that was calculated from the relative abundance of species-specific DNA polymorphisms. Gas exchange parameters were measured under well-watered conditions on current-year needle tissues, which were also analyzed for carbon isotope discrimination. Sitka spruce populations had higher gas exchange rates (net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance to water vapor), but lower carbon isotope discrimination values than interior spruce populations. The natural hybrid populations had intermediate values of these parameters consistent with their Si rDNA index. The F(1) population had gas exchange parameters resembling those of Sitka spruce populations, but its carbon isotope discrimination was skewed toward that of interior spruce populations. These results confirmed previous findings that physiological performance of introgressive hybrid spruce populations varied as their DNA constitution changed.     

Sitka spruce site index in response to varying soil moisture and nutrients in three different climate regions in Ireland

We examined the relationships between Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) site index, windspeed, former land use, soil moisture and soil nutrients with a view to identifying factors limiting the growth potential of the species in three climate regions in Ireland. We selected plantations covering three climate regions (delineated on the basis of ‘growing season’ balance of precipitation and potential evapotranspiration; representing dry, moist and wet climate regions) located on sites representing the range of soil moisture regimes (SMR), soil nutrient regimes (SNR), and land use types found throughout Ireland. Site index of Sitka spruce varied among climate region, with significantly lower site index associated with the wet climate region mainly due to the deterioration in edaphic conditions and adverse climatic conditions. The effect of edaphic variables (SMR, SNR) on site index was consistent across climate regions, site index increasing with increasing SNR, and decreasing with excess moisture or moisture deficit. Site index reached a maximum on fresh/very rich sites in the dry and moist climate regions and on moist/rich sites in the wet climate region. In the dry climate region, water supply (SMR) was the most important variable regulating growth, in wetter windier climates nutrient supply (SNR) was the most important factor, accounting for 69% of the variation in site index. The study has allowed region-specific recommendations to be made for successful plantation establishment in Ireland and for countries with similar climatic regions.     

The variation of the basic density within the juvenile wood of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis)

The variation in the basic‐density level of 45 stems of Sitka spruce from two Danish sites has been examined. It is shown that the basic‐density level, i.e. the basic density as a function of ring width, within the juvenile wood decreases with (1) increasing distance from the pith and (2) increasing height in the stem (same ring number from pith provided). Furthermore, the basic‐density level seems to decrease with increasing stand quality, which may affect the pattern of variation in basic‐density level if the stand quality class varies with age. The basic density of the juvenile wood is markedly higher in Sitka spruce than in Norway spruce, whereby the risk of stem cracks probably is reduced.     

Fluorescein diacetate as a viability stain for tree roots and seeds

Fluorescein diacetate (FDA) was tested as a viability stain for roots of green ash as well as for seeds of green ash and 10 other tree species. The viability level indicated by FDA staining of green ash roots agreed well with root growth potential results, bud condition assessment, and foliage browning measurements. In seed viability experiments, the FDA staining intensity of embryos was related to germination in 9 out of 11 species tested using a 30 minute stain incubation period. In the other 2 species, eastern hemlock and Scotch pine, embryo FDA staining intensity and germination were also similar, provided an 18 h stain incubation period was used. When two seedlots of differing viability were tested in each of white spruce, Douglas-fir, and pitch pine, significantly higher germination was reflected in significantly higher embryo FDA staining intensity. In Sitka spruce seed that was heat treated to produce a range of viabilities, the semilog plot of germination (log scale) and FDA staining intensity of the embryo (linear scale) had an r²= 0.95. Based on these preliminary results, FDA shows promise as a rapid viability stain for tree roots and seeds.     

Seed cone production enhanced by injecting 38-year-old Larix occidentalis Nutt. with GA4/7

The influence of injecting 38-year-old Larix occidentalis with gibberellin A_4/7 (GA_4/7) on seed and pollen cone production was studied in western Montana, U.S.A. Two natural stands thinned to several spacings in 1961 were chosen. The two widest spacings were used. In 1991, 60 trees selected for study at each site were randomly divided into two groups of similar DBH, half as controls and half injected in June 1991 with a solution of GA_4/7 in ethyl alcohol. The volume injected was adjusted to the DBH of each tree (60 mg per 5 cm diameter). In June 1994, half the trees treated with GA_4/7 in 1991 and half the untreated trees were injected with GA_4/7 in the same manner as before. In 1992 and 1995, seed cone production increased on GA_4/7-treated trees compared to the controls. Pollen cone production was significantly increased by GA_4/7 treatment but only at one site. Delayed effects of GA_4/7 on seed cone production was not evident in subsequent years after treatment. Foliar and shoot damage on treated trees was attributed to GA_4/7 treatment but most trees recovered completely the following year. Finally, GA_4/7 treatment did not affect cone length, potential seed per cone or filled seed per cone.     

Promotion of cone production in potted black-spruce grafts, using gibberellins, heat-treatment and root-pruning

Potted 3-year-old grafts of black spruce [Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.] at different stages of lateral shoot elongation were sprayed with different concentrations of gibberellin A_4/7 for a total of six weeks in a heated greenhouse to enhance seed-cone production. Grafts sprayed during the period of lateral shoot elongation produced significantly more seed cones but not pollen cones, while spraying initiated after the elongation did not promote any cone production. Increasing gibberellin did not increase production, but increased graft mortality when spraying was done during the period of rapid shoot elongation. Cone production was highest and mortality lowest with 200 mg l⁻¹ gibberellin A_4/7 spraying that was initiated in the middle of rapid shoot elongation. In a second experiment, potted 5-year-old grafts with or without root pruning were placed either outdoors or in a heated greenhouse during the period of lateral shoot elongation. Heat-treatment during the period of late show shoot elongation had a positive effect on pollen- and seed-cone production in 5-year-old grafts without root-pruning. A combination of heat-treatment and root-pruning appeared to have an adverse effect on cone production. Pollen viability was not affected by the treatments.     

Production of a new generation of seeds through the use of somatic clones in controlled crosses of black spruce (Picea mariana)

To assess the potential to integrate somatic clones (SC) of desired characteristics in production of high genetic quality seed, controlled crosses between different SCs of black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill) B.S.P.) were used to assess their suitability for the production of viable pollen, cones, seeds and seedlings. These SC produced male and female strobili at an early stage. Pollen, cones and seeds produced were characterized (mass, size, germination); their characteristics were similar to those produced by trees in natural forests or seed orchards. A maternal effect was demonstrated for the cone size and seed mass. Although seeds had excellent germination rates, the somatic biparental crosses were divided into three distinct groups with different germination curves using the Weibull function. Seeds from controlled crosses between different SC enabled the production of high morpho-physiological quality seedlings in a forest nursery. Using black spruce as a model, we showed, for the first time, that SC can be used as seed producers. These encouraging results open new perspectives on the tangible integration of somatic embryogenesis (SE) in the chain of seed, vegetative propagation (cuttings and SE) and production of plants for high productivity plantations. Controlled crosses can be made between SC with the desired characteristics (fewer large branches, fewer nodes, good growth, high wood density, performance, improved yield, etc.), vegetative propagules produced and deployed to clonal tests. After elimination of the worst performing SC, clonal tests can be converted into seed orchards that produce a new generation of seeds of high genetic quality. This will allow the rapid introduction of new materials in elite breeding programs of forest species.     

Mechanical Properties of Picea sitchensis

This study establishes the basis for the assignment of Danish - grown Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) to the European strength class system (EN 338). In total, 712 boards were chosen to be representative of the normal Danish commodity. These were visually graded for strength according to Nordic rules (INSTA 142), and subsequently tested to failure in either bending or tension. The results show that Danish - grown Sitka spruce graded to levels T1 and T2 satisfy the requirements of EN 338 at the C18 and C24 levels, respectively. Results for Danish - grown Sitka spruce concur with those for Danish - grown Norway spruce (Picea abies). This study shows that Sitka spruce and Norway spruce of similar origins exhibit highly comparable mechanical properties.     

Cone traits of jack pine and black spruce in young seedling seed orchards

The number of fertile and infertile scales, filled and empty seeds, cone volume, seed efficiency and the incidence of insect and disease damage to seed were evaluated for seven jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb) and six black spruce (Picea mariana [Mill.] B.S.P.) seedling seed orchards in northern Ontario, Canada. On average, the seed potential of jack pine and black spruce cones was 50 and 82 seeds, respectively. Cone volume and the number of fertile scales were under strong genetic control and well correlated with one another for both species. Seed efficiency values were high for jack pine (60%) but poor for black spruce (24%). The incidence of seed insect damage was less than 2.5% for both species and nil for seed diseases.