Study on the variation in and selection of Fraxinus mandshurica provenances and families in northeast China

Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr.is one of the main afforestation species in northeast China,and there is great demand for improved F.mandshurica varieties.The results of an investigation into and analysis of the growth traits of F.mandshurica provenances and families showed that there were significant differences in different periods.However,variations in growth traits decreased year by year.There was a significant negative correlation between tree heights of the provenances and sunshine hours in their areas of origin.The provenances of Xinglong,Hailin and Wuchang were selected based on the volume of 18-year-old trees.The average genetic gain from the selection of fast-growing provenances was 19.4%.Ten superior fast-growing families were selected.The average volume of the selected families was22.6%,higher than that of all families.The correlation coefficient between heights at 6-year-old and at 18a was 0.838for provenances,and between heights at 4-year-old and at 18-year-old was 0.303 for families.These results indicate that early selection for height in provenances or families could be performed at 6 years or 4 years,respectively.Early selection for DBH and volume in families could start at 8 years.

Comparison Experiment of Root Cutting to Castanopsis tibetana Hance between Different Provenances at Seedling Stage

Castanopsis tibetana of five different provenances （Jinxiu, Longsheng, Ziyuan, Hezhou and Leye） were selected as experimental materials to investigate the effects of treatments combining different root lengths and contents of rooting agent on the growth of C. tibetana after transplanting of seedlings. The results showed that, there were significant differences in the preserving rate of C. tibetana seedlings between different provenances and different treatments. Among the 5 treatments, the seedlings of Hezhou provenance showed the maximum annual increment of ground diameter, and the seedlings of Ziyuan provenance exhibited the maximum annual increment of seedling height. Therefore, the germplasm from Hezhou provenance might be better than those from other provenances.

Genetic variations of wood properties and growth characters of Ko-rean pines from different provenances

Totally 26 provenance stands of 17-year-old Korean pine were selected for investigating wood properties and growth characters in Mao抏rshan Experimental Forest Farm of Northeast Forestry University in 1999. The anatomical property indexes, including tracheid length, tracheid diameter and wall-indiameter ratio, and the physical property indexes, such as growth ring width, late wood percentage and growth ring density, were measured for wood properties. Growth character indexes, including tree height and diameter at breast height, were also measured. The analytical results showed that there exited obviously dif-ference in wood property indexes between different provenances, which is suggested that wood properties are controlled by their genetic differences. The growth character indexes of Korean pines presented significant difference and they might also be controlled by their genetic differences. Most parameters of wood properties mainly varied in the direction of longitude, but the parameters of growth characters varied in the direction of latitude.

Variation, heredity and selection of effective ingredients in Magnolis officinalis of different provenances

Bark samples of Magnolis officinalis were collected from a 7-year-old trial plantation with 13 provenances in Jingning County of Zhejiang Province on June 25, 2000. The contents of magnolol and honokiol of M. officinalis were analyzed by the method of HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatogram). The results showed that such qualitative traits as the content of magnolol, content of honokiol, total content of key phenols, and the ratio of magnolo to honokiol differ significantly between the provenances. The provenances with a sharpened leaf tip from the western part of Hubei Province has a highest content of phenols, and that with a concave leaf tip from the Lushan Mountain has a lowest content of phenols. All these four qualitative traits were genetically controlled, with a heritability between 0.8342 and 0.9871 in terms of provenance. In addition, both longitudinal and latitudinal geographical variations could be found, with longitudinal variations being dominant. As a result, 3 superior provenances from Wufeng, Enshi and Hefeng of the western part of Hubei as well as 10 high-quality individuals were selected.

Genetic variation and division of Pinus sylvestris provenances by ISSR markers

Inter Simple Sequence Repeat （ISSR） was used to detect genetic variation among nine provenances, including 135 individuals. A total of 108 loci were amplified using 10 random primers. The differentiation of the percentage of polymorphic bands （PPB） among different provenances was evident, ranging from 27% to 54%. of which Honghuaerji provenance had the highest PPB and Kalunshan provenance had the lowest PPB. Shannon＇s Information index （1） at species level was 0.1581 and Nei＇s gene diversity （h） was 0.2393. Coefficient of gene differentiation （Gsr） calculated by Popgene was 0.3965, these results indicated that majority of genetic variation （60.35%） was found within provenances. According to dendrogram among pinus sylvestriv provenances, nine provenances were divided into two provenance areas. namely Daxing＇an and Xiaoxing＇an Mountains provenance area and Hulunbeier provenance area.

Effect of pre-soaking and pre-chilling treatments on seed germination of Pinus roxburghii provenances from western Himalaya, India

After subjecting the seeds to GA3 and H2O2 treatments for 24 h and chilling at 2-3℃ for a period of 15 days, we conducted the seed germination tests for 21 different seed sources ofPinns roxburghii from western-central Himalaya under laboratory conditions at various temperatures viz., 20℃, 25℃ and 30℃ inside a seed germinator. The results reveal that the soaking of seeds in H2O2 （1% v/v） and GA3 （ 10 mg.L^-1） solutions manifested 82.39% and 78.19% germination, respectively whereas untreated seeds exhibited 70.79% average germination. Both GA3 and H2O2 treatments caused an appreciable shortening of the germination period by 8 days and 10 days, respectively. Moist-chilling did improve the rate and percentage of germination when germinated at 20℃ over 21 days; however total germination was not affected at temperatures 25℃ and 30℃, Although the seeds of P. roxburghii germinate well due to lack of dor- mancy, the increasing demand for large quantities of seeds of P. roxburghii for reforestation programmes make pre-sowing treatments useful in improving the rate and percentage of gemaination.

Photosynthetic Characteristic Variation of Different Provenances of Liriodendron chinense Sarg. at Seedling Stage

[Objective]The aim was to study photosynthetic characteristic variation of different provenances of Liriodendron chinense Sarg. at seedling stage and provide the theoretical basis for work of provenance selection,parent selection of hybridizing breeding,genetic resource conservation of L.chinense Sarg.. [Method]With 13 provenances 1-year-old L.chinense Sarg. seedlings as tested materials,the photosynthetic characteristic variation of different provenances were studied. [Result]The L.chinense Sarg. seedlings of different provenances had the significant difference on net photosynthetic rate （Pn）,stomata conductivity （Gs） and water use efficiency （WUE）. The Pn of the highest provenance was 2.36 times the lowest. Majority seed sources light saturation point （LSP） were in 800-1 200 μmol photons/（m2·s）. Gs,transpiration rate （Tr） and Pn were significantly positively correlated,and the three had a significant positive correlation with the light compensation point （LCP）. Pn,LSP and WUE were negatively correlated. [Conclusion]The photosynthetic characteristics of L.chinense Sarg. had significant variation among provenances. Maybe Gs is the important factor leading to difference in Pn of L.chinense Sarg. seedlings. L.chinense Sarg. seedlings still need higher light intensity and more water.

Evaluation of Drought Resistance of Olive Varieties from Different Provenances

In order to study olive’s drought resistance in Yunnan province, different varieties of olive trees from Albania, Italy, Spain and Greece were cultured, and leaves from these trees in drought season and rainy season were col ected and determined by physiological indices, such as proline content, relative electric con-ductivity, binding water/free water, relative water content and malon-dialdehyde in leaves. The evaluation of drought resistance with subordinate function showed that：There were no significant differences among drought resistances of varieties and provenances. The change of physiological indices in different varieties showed differ-ent ranges. The drought resistance of seven varieties decreased in order as fol ows：Koroneiki〉 Picual〉 Berat〉 Kaliniot〉 Frantoio〉 Coratina〉 Arbequina.

Quantitative Genetic Variation in Gum Arabic (Acacia senegal (L) Willd) Provenances

Twelve (12) Acacia senegal provenances were evaluated at the Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, Gum Arabic Sub-Station Gashua, Yobe state. Gum yield and some morphological data were collect in three years to estimate mean effects, genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance in Acacia senegal provenances. The analysis of variance revealed highly significant difference for all traits. Genetic component analysis showed that both genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PVC) were high for all the traits except bark thickness. PCV was higher in proportion than GCV with respect to all the traits. Gum yield gave the highest relative difference (RD) over other traits. Heritability estimates were high for bark thickness (77.36) and stem diameter (61.75). Expected genetic advance was high in number of tree incision (1.29), stem diameter (1.54) and yield in kg/ha (22.31). This study indicated that there was sufficient genetic variability in Acacia senegal provenances that could be used as a base for improvement of yield and other component attributes of this species through direct selection and hybridization.

Genetic variation and selection of introduced provenances of Siberian Pine(Pinus sibirica) in frigid regions of the Greater Xing'an Range,Northeast China

Siberian Pine （Pinus sibirica） is an ecologically and eco-nomically important species in pristine forests throughout northern Rus-sia. Four provenances of P. sibirica were introduced from Mongolia and Russia to the Greater Xing’an Range （the Daxing’anling）, northeast China in 1993. The aim of this research was to study genetic variation and selection of the introduced four Pinus sibirica provenances. Heights （H）, basal diameters （BD）, survival rates （SR） and crown lengths （CL） of different families were measured as primary outcomes in different growth years. Results of data analyses demonstrated high coefficients of phenotypic variation （PCV） and heritability （H2） for H, BD and CL at 18 years after introduction. PCV and H2 increased with age. Correlations of＆amp;nbsp;growth traits between any two growth years were all significantly positive, but the correlation coefficient was smaller when the growth year interval was larger. Correlations between H and the original environment factors decreased gradually, indicating that with long-term subsistence in the new environment, the influence of the source environment declined. Colligation of multiple traits to estimate provenances showed that Novosibirsk, Tomsk, and Altai Mountains had higher survival rates and biomass, and proved more suitable for introduction and plantation in the Greater Xing’an Range in China.

Germination and early seedling growth of Pinus densata Mast.provenances

We studied seed germination and early seedling growth of Pinus densata to explore the range of variability within the species and to inform afforestation practices. Phenotypes were evaluated at a forest tree nursery under conditions that support Pinus yunnanensis, one of the presumed parental species of P. densata. Seeds were col- lected from 20 open-pollinated trees within each of eight autochthonous populations representing the natural distri- bution of P. densata in China to assess variation in ger- mination traits and early seedling growth, and to examine the relationships among these traits. Results showed that seeds from all populations germinated and seedlings established successfully. There were significant differences among populations in 13 of 14 traits evaluated. Seed germination and early seedling growth were strongly related to seed size and seed weight. Bigger seeds germi- nated earlier and faster than small seeds, and seedling size was positively correlated with seed size. Some germination traits were strongly and significantly correlated with cli- matic variables associated with the provenance of the studied populations. Based on these observations, we conclude there were large, significant, and biologically important differences among P. densata populations in seed germination and seedling growth traits. The observed variability probably reflects a high degree of adaptive dif- ferentiation among populations that is likely to be relevant for future afforestation.

Seasonal variation of microelement contents in leaves of Cyclocarea paliurus among the provenances

Cyclocarya paliurus as a multiple function plant can accumulate biologically important microelement elements.To reveal the variation of selected microelement concentrations in leaves of C.paliurus provenances during the growing season,12 C.paliurus provenances in the field trial were sampled five times at approximately 1-month intervals.The method of inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer（ICP-OES） was employed to determinate average concentrations of Fe,Mn,Zn,Cu and Se in leaves of 12 C.paliurus provenances.The results show that on average,the concentrations of five microelement in the leaves follows an order of Fe Mn Zn Cu Se.Variance analysis shows that there are significant differences in Fe,Mn and Zn concentrations among the twelve provenances（p0.05）,while there is no significant difference between Cu and Se concentrations.A significant difference was also observed in the concentrations of five microelements at the different sampling times（p0.001）,but the mean concentrations for each microelement showed different temporal dynamic patterns.Meanwhile,a significant correlation between concentrations of Se and other measured microelements was detected in the leaves of C.paliurus,except for Mn.Obtained results not only demonstrated that leaves of C.paliurus exhibited higher levels of microelements（Fe,Mn,Cu,Zn and Se）,but also provided a basis for breeding strategies of superior provenances with rich content of microelements,and choosing optimum harvesting time for food industry in future.

Variations in bark thickness and sapwood density of Calophyllum inophyllum provenances in Australia and in Sri Lanka

Sapwood density and bark thickness of Calophyllum inophyllum L. （a multipurpose durable timber species） were studied in various locations in Northern Australia and in Sri Lanka. Measurements were taken non-destructively by using core sampling and bark gauge. From each provenance, 4–15 mature trees having girth at breast height over bark （GBHOB） at 100–150 cm were selected on the basis of the population size. Significant （p0.05） hemispheric and provenance variations in bark thickness were found. Variations in the bark thickness are influenced by environmental variables. Variations in sapwood density were less pronounced compared to that of bark thickness. Variations in sapwood density are likely to be governed by genotypic variations.

Differentiation of Seed Germination and Early Seedling Growth in Ten Provenances of Eucalyptus Microtheca

An investigation of seed germination and early seedling growth of Eucalyptus microtheca was based onseed collection from 10 widely,separated provenanes in Australia. Genetic variation of seed germination and carly seedling growth was observed among a series of provcnances whose natural habitats range from different climatic condition Inthe ten provenances, both the model of seed relative germination percentage and the model of seed total germination percentage fitted Logistic regression [y=a/(1+exp(-cx+b))]. In comparison with provenanccs from four high temperature (meanannual maximum temperature >30.0 ℃: mean annual minimum temperature > 17.0 ℃) areas, six low temperature (meanannual maximum temperature <30℃, mean annual minimum temperature <17.0 ℃) areas showed the thst genninationrate and the high total germination percentage, For each provenance we have 45 seedlings equally divided into three watering levels (100%, 50%. and 25% of field capacity), and studies on relationship between early seedling growth and climaticfactors of the natural habitat of provenance. In control treatment. height growth of the seedling has beeb associated with intrinsically the driest quarter precipitation in the seed collection areas of provenance. In all the treatments, length growth ofthe biggest Ieaf of the seedling was related to mean annual maximum temperature and mean annual minimum temperaturein origin of provenance. In contrast, basal diameter growth of the seedling was related to mean annual minimum temperature of the seed collection areas in water stress treatment. From an ecological viewpint, the fast germination rate and thehigh total germination perecntage of the seed and rapid early grouth of the seedling appear to bc favourable adaptations tothe climatic conditions prevailing in the natural habitat of provenance.

Performance and genetic diversity of 23 provenances of northern red oak(Quercus rubra L.)after 25 years of growth in South Korea

Growth traits and genetic diversity of 23 provenances of Quercus rubra introduced from North America were analyzed in a provenance trial established with a randomized block design in Hwaseong,Gyeonggi,South Korea in 1993.Growth variables and survival at age 25 were compared with results from early stages.Height,DBH,volume and stem straightness of Q.rubra was better than those of the domestic oak(Quercus accutissima).Growth of the Dunham Island provenance from New York was the best among the 23 provenances that of the Eagle River provenance from Wisconsin was poorest.Survival rate at age25 was on average 52%.The longitude of seed origin and growth of provenance were consistently significantly negatively correlated at all ages.Growth of coastal provenances was superior to that of the inland provenances,which were separated by the Appalachian Mountains.Genetic diversity and genetic distance among the provenances were evaluated using micro satellite markers.The allelic frequencies showed high polymorphism in 10 microsatellite loci,and 292 alleles were found.Of 10 loci,two were commonly found in the 23 provenances.The mean allelic diversity and heterozygosity observed among the provenances were similar to those from the native populations of Q.rubra in North America.Nei’s genetic distance among the 23 was estimated and showed that a clear trend between geographic and genetic distances,indicating that some provenances have high genetic diversity with superior growth performance.

Variations in seed size and seed mass related to tree growth over 5 years for 23 provenances of Quercus acutissima from across China

The origin of a seed strongly impacts its traits, and both origin and seed traits influence seed germination and seedling development. However, in many instances, this effect on the seedling does not persist into adulthood, and little is known about how seed traits and original environment affect seedling/tree growth over time. In this study, seed size, seed mass, seedling/tree growth and origins were collected and determined for 23 provenances of Quercus acutissima from across China. Origin variables correlated well with seed size and seed mass. In stepwise multiple regressions, a longitudinal aridity index explained 49.2-68.7% of the total variation in seed size and mass, while only seed width was correlated with seedling/tree height (H) and diameter at the ground (D) from seed traits and origins. The total variance in H and D explained by the models decreased over time, for example, the R 2 value of the models for H declined from 0.477 in the first year to 0.224 in the fourth year; no models was significant in the fifth year. These results indicate that seed size, regulated by the longitudinal aridity index strongly impacted seedling and tree growth, but the strength of the influence decreased over time, and disappeared after 4 years.

Genetic variation and superior provenances selection for wood properties of Larix olgensis at four trials

Larix olgensis,one of the most important timber species in northeastern China,is used for paper making and construction.In this study,10 wood properties(wood density,fiber length,fiber width,fiber length-to width ratio,hemicellulose content,cellulose content,holocellulose content,lignin content,ash content,and carbon content)of 10 provenances of L.olgensis planted at sites of CuoHai(CH),JiaGeDaQi(JGDQ),LiangShui(LS),and Mao'erShan(MES)were analyzed.The results of ANOVA showed that almost traits differed significantly among locations and provenances,with a significant interaction effect.Each trait also differed significant among provenances within sites.The phenotypic and genetic coefficient of variation(PCV and GCV)and provenance heritability(H 2)for wood properties ranged from 1.122 to 27.365%,from 0.564%to 21.113%and from 0.332 to 0.996,respectively.A correlation analysis showed that wood density was significantly negatively correlated with cellulose content and holocellulose content at sites CH,JGDQ,and LS,but were significantly positively correlated at site MES.Wood density was significantly negatively correlated with lignin content at CH and JGDQ,but not at LS and MES.Fiber width(FW)was negatively correlated with the ratio of fiber length(FL)to width across sites,and FW and FL/W were all positively correlated with FL.Lignin content was significantly positively correlated with hemicellulose content at site JGDQ and significantly negatively correlated with cellulose content and with holocellulose content at site MES.Interestingly,carbon content was positively correlated with cellulose content and holocellulose content at CH,but negatively correlated with these two traits at site MES.In a correlation analysis of wood properties with geographic,soil and climatic characteristics at the four sites,wood properties were mainly correlated with latitude and altitude of the site and affected by the average annual precipitation and temperature simultaneously.To select superior pulpwood provenances and high carbon storage provenances,we selected the two best provenances with excellent wood properties for each location based on a multi-trait comprehensive evaluation,which can be used as the preferred materials for the establishment of large-scale plantations in specific locations.

Variations in shoot and root growth of three provenances of Faidherbia albida in clay and sand soil

The variation in shoot and root seedling growth traits was compared among three Faidherbia albida （Del）. A. Chev. provenances originating from Kenya （Taveta）, Malawi （Bolero） and Ghana （Bolgatanga）; representing east, south and west Africa, respectively. Bulked seeds from three provenances were grown in two soil types （clay and sand） at the World Agroforestry Centre nursery, Nairobi. Seedlings grown in clay soil had high shoot growth and shoot to root ratios but shorter root length, lower number of nodules and specific root length compared to seedlings in sand soil. Shoot to root ratios reduced with time and this was more pronounced in sand soil. Overall, the Bolero and Taveta provenances had higher growth than the Bolgatanga provenance. This was probably because plants grown in nutrient-rich clay soil invest more in shoot growth as compared to root growth. Longer root growth in sand soil shows a better adaptive mechanism that increases competitive ability and survival in nutrient-poor systems. Variations observed among the seedling variables such us shoot and root growth could be used for early selection for reforestation and agroforestry in predominantly clay and sand soil areas.

Early performance of Pinus radiata provenances in the earthquakeravaged dry river valley area of Sichuan, southwest China

A provenance experiment involving five native provenances and an Australian landrace of Pinus radiata （D. Don） was established over three sites in the dry river valley area of Sichuan, southwest China in 2004 in order to select the most suitable provenance for environmental planting on the dry, steep and degraded slopes to reduce soil erosion. Although with much lower soil moisture supply and mean minimum temperatures in winter compared to P. radiata provenance trials estab- lished elsewhere in the world, these sites are within the working limits of the species defined by previous climate modelling and matching. Be- cause of the difficult site conditions and severe natural disturbances after the experiment was established, mortality was high across the three sites in comparison to provenance trials in other countries.

Assessment of Water Provenances in Koxkar Glacier Region at the South Slope of Mt. Tianshan,China

Various water samples were collected for electrical conductivity (EC) and δ^18O analysis,and the proportion and contribution of atmospheric precipitation,glacier ice and shallow groundwater to discharge in the Koxkar glacier basin at the south slope of the Tianshan Mountains were studied.The results show that glacial ice-water recharge was dominant,accounting for 72.11% of the annual runoff.It also had a significant positive correlation with temperature during the warm season (from May to September).However,glacier ice ablation replenishment still existed when the temperature in the cold season was below the critical temperature of 0 ℃.This could be that the heat generated by the friction between the ice body and the ice bed during the subglacial ice sliding process led ice to melt,what's more,the stored water in the geometric passages inside and below the glacier could slowly release.Groundwater recharge accounted for 16.38% of the total runoff.The supplement was small and its variation range was relatively small in the cold season.But in the warm season,the amount of groundwater recharge increased and changed drastically.It might be that the seasonal frozen soil in the basin was widely developed and was affected by temperature changes.Atmospheric precipitation replenishment only accounted for 11.51%.The daily precipitation recharge river water had a significant response to regional precipitation,but there was hysteresis in time,and there was still precipitation recharge runoff even in the absence of precipitation.