Geographic variation pattern ofLarix olgensis

On the basis of the data of provenance test for 10 years in the total natural range ofLarix olgensis from 10 seeds collection sites, the geographic variation patterns have been made by means of canonical correlation analysis: (1) The basic variation patterns of growth characters is in vertical gradual change along the elevation gradient as principal, and gradual change along the latitude as supplement. (2) The Xiaobehu provenance with low elevation and low equivalent latitude is the good gene resource center ofL. olgensis. It has the genetic characters of rapid growth, high stability and fine timber quality. (3) The synthetical interaction between water and heat factors is the major factor to produce the variation ofL. olgensis and the temperature is the principal one. (4) Among the genetic variations of geographic population characters, the variation of growth is the most obvious one, and it could be taken as the main character for provenance division. (5) By allocating the seeds from the low equivalent latitude region to the northern suitable afforestation areas, the greater genetic gain could be obtained. (Responsible Editor: Chai Ruihai)