Variation in functional leaf traits among beech provenances during a Spanish summer reflects the differences in their origin

We assessed the response of 11-year-old saplings from six beech provenances growing in a common-garden trial at the southwestern range limit. Provenances from distinct climatic regions across the European beech distribution were selected. The local Spanish provenance appeared well suited to the site conditions, maintaining high rates of assimilation even in midsummer, but so did the provenance of southern continental origin, from Gotze-Delchev, Bulgaria. Those provenances from cooler sites in central Europe, a continental mountain climate in the Czech Republic and a continental range-edge site in eastern Poland, along with a German provenance of mild maritime origin, had good physiological functionality in early summer but reduced carbon assimilation (A _area) and apparent soil?Cleaf hydraulic conductivity (K _L) in midsummer. The northern maritime provenance from Sweden demonstrated severely-reduced photosynthetic capacity. These groupings of provenances according to their photosynthetic performance, stable carbon isotope composition (??¹³C; a proxy for water-use efficiency) and leaf water potential under marginal conditions, during late summer in the trial, suggest that they have divergent strategies for water use. The research highlights large intraspecific differences among beech provenances of distinct origin and strategies which are expected to modify their response to drought, requiring future genetic studies to explicitly determine the basis of this ecophysiological differentiation.     

The role of seed provenance in the early development of Arbutus unedo seedlings under contrasting watering conditions

In the last decades, several studies have reported the increase of land degradation and desertification in the Mediterranean Basin. Depending on degradation severity, ecological restoration might be needed in order to promote ecosystem recovery. The ecology of the selected species and intra specific variability should be considered in order to improve restoration options, especially facing climate change.The present study tested the hypothesis that seedlings from drier provenances would be better adapted to low water content conditions. Seeds were germinated under controlled temperature after which seedlings were grown in a phytotron under two contrasting watering regimes. Seedling performance was analysed using morphological and physiological parameters.Low water content had a clear negative effect on the seedlings’ aboveground biomass (total dry weight, root collar diameter, leaf dry weight and leaf weight ratio) and a positive effect on belowground biomass (root weight and root:shoot ratio). This response was not unequivocal, since provenances differed in morphological adaptations to low water content. Seedlings from the wettest provenance revealed a higher relative growth rate under high water content but a poor adaptation to limited water availability when compared to the other two provenances. This was observed by the absence of a significant belowground investment in this provenance. Seedlings from the wettest provenance also presented a significant reduction of total leaf area that was not observed in the other two provenances. This can however be hardly considered as a successful adaptation to cope with drought since this provenance produced less sclerophyllous leaves, less belowground biomass and also lower sapwood to leaf area ratio independently from the water content conditions. By contrast, seedlings from the dry provenance with the hottest summer had similar root collar diameter, leaf dry weight and physiological performance under both watering regimes.The observed adaptations to water regimes seem to be related with the climate of the seed source and highlighted the importance of seed provenance in ecological restoration actions using Mediterranean species. This knowledge could improve early establishment success predictions for different plant populations, allowing more reliable and cost-effective management decisions under climate change scenarios.     

Structural and functional plasticity of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Quercus ilex</Emphasis> seedlings of different provenances in Italy

Functional and structural leaf traits of Quercus ilex seedlings originated from parent plant acorns from three different localities in Italy were studied. Acorns from three different localities along a gradient from the north to the south of Italy: Nago (site A) in the Garda Lake region at the northernmost limit of holm oak distribution area in Italy, Castelporziano near Rome (site B), at the centre of the distribution area, and Frassanito near Otranto (site C), in a drier area in the south of Italy. Morphological and anatomical leaf traits differed between the provenances with a higher leaf mass area, total leaf thickness and the ratio of palisade to mesophyll thickness in the driest provenance (C seedlings). These traits gave C seedlings a higher water use efficiency, relative water content at predawn and photosynthetic rates than the other provenances in high air temperature conditions. The smaller leaf area of A seedlings seemed to have a higher photosynthetic capacity in low air temperature conditions than B and C seedlings. Growth analysis underlined a higher shoot relative growth rate in B seedlings explaining the highest shoot length and leaf number per shoot. The plasticity index [sensu Valladares et al. (2000) Ecology 81:1925–1936] for physiological traits of the seedlings was higher than morphological and anatomical traits, but the largest differences in plasticity among ecotypes were found for morphological and anatomical traits. The ecotypes of Q. ilex studied here seemed to integrate, at leaf level, functions of growth activity, morphology and physiology related to the climate of the original provenance.     

不同种源油松幼苗的光合色素和非结构性碳水化合物对模拟氮沉降的短期响应

以不同种源(内蒙NM、北京BJ和山西SX)的3年生油松幼苗为研究对象,研究不同种源油松幼苗的光合色素以及非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)对氮沉降增加的短期响应。实验中设置5个氮处理:CK(0 kg hm-2a-1)、N1(15 kg hm-2a-1)、N2(25 kg hm-2a-1)、N3(50 kg hm-2a-1)、N4(150 kg hm-2a-1)。研究结果表明:(1)不同生长季,3个种源油松幼苗的光合色素对氮沉降增加的响应存在差异,但是只有BJ种源油松幼苗的叶绿素含量在生长季中期受到了氮沉降增加的显著促进作用,并在N4水平下达到最大值。(2)氮沉降的增加促进了3个种源油松幼苗NSC的转移和消耗,在生长季初期和中期,随着氮沉降水平的升高,3个种源油松幼苗的可溶性糖(SS)含量、淀粉(ST)含量以及总非结构性碳水化物(TNC)含量呈不同程度的降低。生长季末期,3个种源油松幼苗的SS和TNC明显积累。N4水平抑制了NM种源油松幼苗SS和BJ种源油松幼苗ST的累积,促进了NM种源油松幼苗ST含量和BJ种源油松幼苗SS含量的提高。氮沉降的增加显著抑制了SX种源油松幼苗NSC的积累,延长了幼苗的生长期,推迟了幼苗进入休眠的时间。     

遮光条件下不同种源土沉香幼苗的光合特性与生长速率分析

以3个来源于广东茂名的土沉香[ Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Spreng.]种源(大白、小白和大黄)和1个来源于云南的土沉香种源的1年生幼苗为研究对象,对不同遮光条件下[相对光强100％(对照,自然光强)、50％、25％和5％]4个种源幼苗叶片的净光合速率(Pn)的光响应和CO2响应曲线、光合和气体交换参数、叶绿素含量和叶绿素a/b( Chla/b)值进行了分析,并比较了4个种源幼苗的相对生长速率(RGR).结果表明:4个种源的Pn均随光合光量子通量密度的增加而上升,且对照组各种源的Pn值均明显高于各处理组;4个种源的Pn值均随胞间CO2浓度的升高或相对光强的增大逐渐提高.随相对光强的降低,4个种源的最大光合速率、光补偿点、光饱和点、暗呼吸速率、最大电子传递速率、最大羧化速率和磷酸丙糖利用速率均下降或显著下降(P＜0.05),而表观量子效率则略有升高.在相对光强100％ ～ 25％条件下,随相对光强降低,4个种源的叶绿素含量显著提高、Chla/b值显著减小;大白和小白种源的RGR逐渐增大,大黄种源的RGR差异不显著,而云南种源的RGR显著减小.而在相对光强5％条件下,大黄和云南种源的叶绿素含量显著降低,Chla/b值显著增大,RGR显著减小;大白和小白种源幼苗全部死亡.由种源间的比较可见:4个种源的各项光合参数以及叶绿素含量、相对生长速率均有一定的差异,其中云南种源的各项指标总体上均最低.综合来看,土沉香为半阳生植物,对不同的光环境表现出相对较强的适应性.     

东北红豆杉幼苗黄酮类化合物含量变化及其对气候因子的响应

植物在进化适应过程中形成了一套对环境变化响应的防御体系,其中黄酮类化合物作为植物体内重要的次生代谢产物,是表征植物化学防御能力的重要指标。本研究将5个种源东北红豆杉幼苗分别移栽到4个试验地(37°N-43°N),利用多酚测量仪Multiplex-3(Force-A,France)对其叶片表皮黄酮类化合物含量进行无损测定,探讨随试验地、种源地气候因子的变化,东北红豆杉幼苗黄酮类化合物含量的变化规律。结果表明:试验地环境变化对类黄酮指数、花青素指数变化的相对贡献率大于种源地、试验地与种源地交互效应的相对贡献率;试验地气候因子对类黄酮指数、花青素指数解释率(49.8%、55.4%)分别高于种源地气候因子的解释率(35.3%、29.2%);东北红豆杉幼苗类黄酮指数、花青素指数随试验地纬度的升高而下降;试验地3类气候因子方差分解结果显示,光照因子对类黄酮指数、花青素指数变化的单独解释率最高;种源地气候因子方差分解结果显示,水分因子对类黄酮指数、花青素指数变化的单独解释率最高;试验地环境变化对东北红豆杉幼苗黄酮类化合物含量变化起主要作用;东北红豆杉幼苗在低纬度试验地表现出更强的化学防御能力;光照因子在短期影响东北红豆杉幼苗黄酮类化合物含量变化中起主导作用,而长期影响黄酮类化合物含量变化则转变为水分因子起主导作用。     

Effects of Drought on the Competitive Interference of an Early Successional Species (Rubus fruticosus) on Fagus sylvatica L. Seedlings: 15N Uptake and Partitioning, Responses of Amino Acids and other N Compounds

Abstract: We assessed the role of water availability as a factor regulating the ability of beech seedlings to cope with competitive interference for nitrogen resources by an early successional species (Rubus fruticosus). A glasshouse experiment was performed with two levels of interference (beech with and without R. fruticosus ) and three levels of irrigation (high, intermediate, none). ¹⁵N uptake and partitioning of both species, and composition of N pools in leaves, roots and phloem of beech, were determined. Under all irrigation regimes, ¹⁵N uptake by beech seedlings decreased when grown together with R. fruticosus. R. fruticosus had higher ¹⁵N uptake rates than beech, under all water supply levels. When irrigation was reduced, a substantial decrease in ¹⁵N uptake of beech seedlings and a concurrent increase in ¹⁵N uptake by R. fruticosus were observed. Interference by R. fruticosus and low irrigation also affected the ¹⁵N partitioning in beech seedlings and resulted in reduced allocation of ¹⁵N to the roots. The combination of competitive interference and lack of irrigation led to an increase in soluble non-protein N in roots and leaves of beech, due to protein degradation. This response was attributed to an increase in levels of amino acids serving as osmoprotectants under these conditions. The concentration of proline in leaves of beech was negatively correlated to shoot water potential. A competition-induced reduction of total N in leaves of beech under high and intermediate irrigation was found. These results illustrate (1) the advantage of R. fruticosus in terms of N uptake when compared to young beech, particularly under inadequate water supply, and (2) the changes in N composition of beech seedlings in order to cope with reduced soil water and interference by R. fruticosus.     

Effects of drought on photoprotective mechanisms in European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) seedlings from different provenances

The effects of drought on photoprotection mechanisms of three beech provenances from three contrasting climatic origins have been studied. Morphology differed among provenances, with a lower leaf area/fine roots ratio in the xeric populations (Moncayo). This characteristic allowed this provenance to respond later than the others to a drought-stress treatment. However, in desiccating leaves the stability of PSII was higher in the plants from the stressful climate of the Pyrenees (Belagoa). Drought resulted in a reduction in pigment content (except in Belagoa) with simultaneous increases in antheraxanthin, zeaxanthin and tocopherol pools. These molecules play an important photoprotective role and reached similar values in stressed leaves from the three provenances. These antioxidants also protected the leaves from paraquat-induced oxidation. It is concluded that drought tolerance in the studied xeric ecotype is based to a greater extent on morphological characteristics than on a better photoprotective system.     

麻栎种源林叶片碳、氮、磷化学计量特征的变异

结合林木育种方法,以3个麻栎种源试验林为研究对象,测定了29个麻栎种源叶片碳、氮、磷化学计量特征.结果表明: 地点(环境)显著影响叶片碳、氮、磷、碳氮比、碳磷比、氮磷比,解释量占总变异量的13.2%～66.7%,而种源(遗传)的影响并不显著,解释量只占总变异量的2.9%～11.0%.叶片氮与碳氮比、氮与氮磷比、磷与碳磷比、磷与氮磷比均具有显著的相关性,且无论是地点间还是东西部种源间均存在共同的标准化主轴斜率.表明在单一树种(麻栎)水平上,种源间具有相似的碳、氮、磷生化过程,其叶片化学计量特征主要受环境的影响;而化学计量特征在地点间和东西部种源间稳定的相关系数反映出叶片化学计量特征的特定耦合比例不受环境和种源的影响,支持化学计量学的内稳性理论.     

不同种源刨花楠林下幼苗叶功能性状与地理环境的关系

研究9个种源地天然刨花楠林下幼苗主要叶功能性状差异及其与地理环境的关系,分析刨花楠林下幼苗对地理环境变化的响应与适应机制.结果表明: 不同种源间刨花楠林下幼苗主要叶功能性状种内变异系数较大(8.8%～28.2%),其中种源间比叶面积、叶相对含水率、叶组织密度和叶厚差异显著,表明刨花楠林下幼苗具有较强的叶片形态可塑性.叶组织密度与叶干物质含量、叶相对含水率均呈显著正相关,与比叶面积、叶厚则呈显著负相关;比叶面积与叶干物质含量、叶面积均呈显著负相关,反映刨花楠林下幼苗可通过叶片性状组合的调整和平衡以响应地理环境变化.影响刨花楠林下幼苗叶功能性状可塑性的主要环境因子为经度、纬度、>10 ℃年积温和年均温.叶厚随着经度的增加而降低,叶干物质含量和叶相对含水率则随着经度的增加而增加;叶组织密度与经度和年均温呈显著正相关,且经度对其影响大于年均温;叶面积与>10 ℃年积温和经度呈显著正相关,且前者对其影响大于后者.     

Variation in needle terpenoids among Pinus sylvestris L. (Pinaceae) provenances from Turkey

Variation of terpenes and resin acids in needles of young Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings from nine different provenances in Turkey was investigated. The provenances represent 1200-km West to East and 400-km South to North transects. Seven monoterpenes and two sesquiterpenes were reported in the needles of pines studied. Generally, the kinds of terpenes were similar but the relative amount of some compounds differed among the origins. The major components of the monoterpene fraction in Turkish sources were α-pinene (84.8%), β-pinene (4.1%) and limonene (3.0%), corresponding to 91.9% of the crude needle extract. In a PCA-analysis, 3-carene, myrcene and terpinolene in seedlings from Turkish provenances were quite low and thus, they were clearly different from a Northern European Scots pine provenance from Finland. In the resin acid fraction, abietic acid (62.4%) and dehydroabietic acid (16.1%) were the most abundant constituents in the needles of the Scots pine from Turkish provenances.     

磷胁迫对不同种源枫香生长及氮、磷吸收利用率的影响

基于枫香(Liquidambar formosana)作为先锋树种的生态价值及南方红壤缺磷的现状,采用裂区设计,以不同磷水平模拟磷胁迫砂培处理枫香三叶期幼苗,研究7个种源枫香对磷水平的响应差异.结果表明：不同种源枫香间耐磷胁迫差异显著.随磷胁迫的加剧,各种源的生物量和氮、磷吸收量减少,而利用率增加.高磷处理条件下,南昌和宜兴种源枫香生物量和氮、磷吸收量较高,利用率较低,南丹种源枫香的氮、磷利用率较高,吸收量较低;低磷处理时,南昌和南丹种源枫香的磷吸收量、利用率和生物量均较高.说明高磷时,枫香高生物量种源呈高效吸收;而低磷时,则呈高效吸收和高效利用的特点.南昌种源是优良的耐磷胁迫种源,南丹种源次之;磷不是枫香的限制性养分因子.叶片Δ（N/P）、磷效率和生物量可作为确定枫香耐磷胁迫的指标.     

Growth response of Afzelia africana Sm. seedlings to ectomycorrhizal inoculation in a nutrient-deficient soil

 The growth and mineral nutrition responses of seedlings of two provenances of Afzelia africana Sm. from Senegal and Burkina Faso, inoculated with four ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi (Scleroderma spp. and an unidentified isolate) from the same regions were assessed in a pot experiment in a savanna ECM-propagule-free soil deficient in NPK. There was little variation in the ability of the different fungal species to colonize roots of either provenance of A. africana or to produce external hyphal in soil. Root colonization by ECM fungi and their hyphal development were not related to mineral nutrition or ECM dependency. Differences in P, N, Mg and Ca concentrations in the leaves of inoculated and non-inoculated Afzelia seedlings were not always associated with production of biomass. Only leaf K concentration increased in both provenances after ECM inoculation. However, the Burkina Faso provenance responded better to inoculation with the two fungal isolates than the Senegal provenance in terms of biomass production. This was due to stimulation of root dry weight of the Burkina Faso provenance. Therefore, the hypothesis arises that non-nutritional rather than nutritional effects explain the contribution of ECM inoculation to the growth of A. africana seedlings. Accepted: 27 April 1999     

Variation in the phenology of photosynthesis among eastern white pine provenances in response to warming

In higher‐latitude trees, temperature and photoperiod control the beginning and end of the photosynthetically active season. Elevated temperature (ET) has advanced spring warming and delayed autumn cooling while photoperiod remains unchanged. We assessed the effects of warming on the length of the photosynthetically active season of three provenances of Pinus strobus L. seedlings from different latitudes, and evaluated the accuracy of the photochemical reflectance index (PRI) and the chlorophyll/carotenoid index (CCI) for tracking the predicted variation in spring and autumn phenology of photosynthesis among provenances. Seedlings from northern, local and southern P. strobus provenances were planted in a temperature‐free‐air‐controlled enhancement (T‐FACE) experiment and exposed to ET (+1.5/3°C; day/night). Over 18 months, we assessed photosynthetic phenology by measuring chlorophyll fluorescence, gas exchange, leaf spectral reflectance and pigment content. During autumn, all seedlings regardless of provenance followed the same sequence of phenological events with the initial downregulation of photosynthesis, followed by the modulation of non‐photochemical quenching and associated adjustments of zeaxanthin pool sizes. However, the timing of autumn downregulation differed between provenances, with delayed onset in the southern provenance (SP) and earlier onset in the northern relative to the local provenance, indicating that photoperiod at the provenance origin is a dominant factor controlling autumn phenology. Experimental warming further delayed the downregulation of photosynthesis during autumn in the SP. A provenance effect during spring was also observed but was generally not significant. The vegetation indices PRI and CCI were both effective at tracking the seasonal variations of energy partitioning in needles and the differences of carotenoid pigments indicative of the stress status of needles. These results demonstrate that PRI and CCI can be useful tools for monitoring conifer phenology and for the remote monitoring of the length of the photosynthetically active season of conifers in a changing climate.     

Responses of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus pinea</Emphasis> seedlings to moderate drought and shade: is the provenance a differential factor?

The widespread Mediterranean Pinus pinea showed exceptionally low genetic diversity and low differentiation between traits in the adult phase. We explored the adaptation potential of seedlings from four main Iberian provenances during their regeneration phase. We assessed the variability of shoot growth, allometry, physiological traits, and phenotypic plasticity to the interactive effect of light and water environments during 8-month moderate water-stress cycle and after one-week heat wave. The effect of shade and drought was mainly orthogonal whatever the provenance. The inland La Mancha provenance showed higher shoot growth and biomass compared to the southern coastal Depresión-del-Guadalquivir provenance. Following the heat wave, La Mancha presented higher net photosynthetic rates, a lower decrease in maximal quantum efficiency of PSII, and a higher accumulated relative height growth, thus, showing an adaptive advantage. The observed differences corroborated the ecological grouping of the provenances along latitudinal and inland–coastal gradients. We confirmed the high adaptive plasticity of Pinus pinea to the unpredictable Mediterranean environment.     

Physiological and biochemical traits involved in the genotypic variability to salt tolerance of Tunisian Cakile maritima

Cakile maritima (family: Brassicaceae) was collected from three provenances belonging to different bioclimatic stages (humid, semi arid and arid) in Tunisia to study their eco‐physiological and biochemical responses to salinity. Seedlings were cultivated on inert sand for 20 days under NaCl treatments (0, 100, 200, 400 mm NaCl). Plant response to salinity was provenance‐ and salt‐dependent. At 100 mm NaCl, growth parameters (leaf biomass, area, number per plant and relative growth rate) were improved in plants from Jerba (originating from arid bioclimatic stage) compared with the control, while growth was reduced in those from Tabarka (from humid area). High salt levels (400 mm NaCl) decreased the plant growth in the three provenances, but plants in Tabarka were the most salt sensitive. The relative salt tolerance of plants from Jerba and Bekalta provenances was associated with low levels of malondialdehyde as well as of electrolyte leakage and endoproteolytic activity. Salt reduced leaf hydration, the decrease in water content being dose‐dependent and more pronounced in Tabarka. Increase in salinity led to significant increase in leaf succulence and decrease in leaf water potential, especially in Jerba plants. The plants from the latter displayed the highest leaf levels of Na⁺ and Cl^?, proline, soluble carbohydrates, soluble proteins, and polyphenols. Overall, the higher salt tolerance of plants from Jerba provenance, and to a lower extent of those from Bekalta, may be partly related to their better capacity for osmotic adjustment and to limit oxidative damage when salt‐challenged.     

Ecophysiological response to severe drought in Pinus halepensis Mill. trees of two provenances

As a result of predicted regional climatic changes the need to select for the more drought-tolerant genotypes (ecotypes) among Mediterranean conifers has become clear. Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensisMill.) seems to be one of the most drought-tolerant pine species. Nevertheless, the existence of geographical trends in their genetic differentiation indicates potentially large differences in drought-tolerance among provenances. This assumption was verified by the finding of large variation among provenances in their internal water relations. Hence, the aim of this study was to compare the ecophysiological behaviour of several Aleppo pine provenances under contrasting climatic conditions. Growth parameters (height and diameter) and survival rate were measured in two provenance trials, one planted under sub-desertic conditions at the northern edge of the Negev desert, and the second under thermo-Mediterranean climatic conditions in the central coastal plains, Israel. Ecophysiological parameters such as: predawn needle water potential, sap flow in the xylem (i.e. transpiration), photosynthesis and water-use efficiency were measured in trees of selected provenances. The results suggest that it is not possible to predict provenance performance under harsh conditions from their performance under more favourable ones. Therefore, selection must be carried out under the exact conditions in which the trees from the resultant selection will be planted. The present study clearly emphasises the need for broad selection programs of P. halepensis.     

同期生长在种源地与异地同质园刨花楠叶性状分析

为辨别环境变化与遗传因素对植物叶片主要功能性状的影响,以同期生长在4种源地母树林下及异地同质园的1.5年生刨花楠苗木为研究对象,对其叶片表型及养分性状进行对比分析。结果显示：(1)刨花楠叶面积、叶厚、叶干物质含量等叶片表型性状受遗传与环境因素共同影响;叶片碳(C)含量受遗传因素调控,环境对其影响较小;叶片氮、磷(N、P)含量主要受环境因素影响;(2)不同种源刨花楠比叶面积、叶厚、叶干物质含量、叶形指数等性状变异系数较大(8.85%—37.03%),其中江西遂川种源变异系数相对较大,而湖南茶陵种源则相对较小,各种源都倾向于通过调节比叶面积、叶厚、叶片氮磷含量等性状以适应生境变化;(3)种源地与同质园刨花楠的比叶面积虽均与叶厚呈显著负相关,但同质园刨花楠比叶面积与叶形指数呈显著正相关,与叶片氮含量无明显相关,而种源地刨花楠比叶面积则与叶形指数无明显相关,与叶片氮含量则呈显著负相关;(4)不同种源苗木叶性状指标在种源地与同质园间存在不同的协调与权衡,体现了植物在不同生境下的适应策略。其中湖南茶陵种源在两种生境下都具有更保守的资源获取策略,而江西安福种源对环境变化则更为敏感,资源获取策略更为灵...     

Provenance Variation in

Variation in seedling growth and form between provenances of Podocarpus totara from 42 sites throughout New Zealand was investigated. Seedlings were grown for three years under uniform nursery conditions. There were significant differences between provenances in height growth in the first three years after sowing. Early growth was highly correlated with germination rate after sowing. In the third year, growth followed a different pattern and was negatively correlated with provenance latitude, i.e., provenances from southern latitudes grew more slowly than those from further north. This suggests that genetic factors correlated with mean summer temperature of the locality of seed source were beginning to predominate. Stem form and branch length also varied between provenances, but foliage colour and leaf size did not. Neither stem form nor branch length were related to any provenance site variable. Since provenance variation is appreciable, it is recommended that P. totara plantings for ecological purposes should be of seedlings raised from locally collected seed. However, for growing P. totara in plantations to produce special-purpose high value timber, considerable scope exists for an in-depth breeding study that will eventually lead to producing planting stock with both superior height growth and good tree form.     

Local differentiation of Albanian provenances and chorology of beech species in balcan area

Abstract

Some quantitative characters of different Albanian beech provenances are analysed in order to study their local differentiation. The results obtained by discriminant analysis showed the formation of two principal groups. Biza provenance was discriminated from both groups. Principal components and cluster analysis give a good evidence on the similarities among Albanian and Bulgarian beech populations. The results suggest that all area of Balcan is the contact zone of Fagus sylvatica L. and Fagus orientalis Lypski.