Intraspecific Diversity of Pinus sylvestris L. in Provenance Trials of the Central Russian Forest-Steppe Area

Abstract

The provenance trials of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in the Central Russian forest-steppe area were established by M.M. Veresen in 1959. They have become a natural laboratory for genetic and environmental research in order to solve the practical issues of forest seed zoning. The study of the intraspecific diversity of the provenance trials makes it possible to distinguish patterns in the formation of species with various origins under the influence of different ecological, genetic, and climatic conditions. This article presents the results of a multi-year research project. This allows us to state with full responsibility the strong influence of environmental and genetic factors on the characteristics of growth, resistance, trunk productivity, and reproductive capacity of Scots pine in new growing conditions. The generative parts of the study objects were also examined by morphometric indicators. The changes were revealed in seed production, size, cone coloring, color and weight of 1000 pieces of seeds, seed release, seed fullness, germinative energy, and absolute germination. Genetic factors, which are programmed by ancestry, define the constancy of the difference in size and color of cones and seeds. In addition, genetic factors, along with the weather conditions of a new location, regulate reproductive ability. It was noted that Scots pine with different geographical origins enters the flowering phase at different times. The northern trees are 5–7 days earlier than locals; the southern trees are 5 days later. They were studied in the climate of the Voronezh region. The variability in the characteristics of the generative organs of Scots pine is also affected by its place of birth. The size and weight of the cone are directly related to the geographic latitude. The length and weight of the cone increase with movement from north to south. There is no strict relationship between the release of the seeds during free pollination and the place of origin since the study objects were surrounded by various pollinators. The weight of 1000 seeds changes with the same regularity as in natural stands of pine: it increases with the geographical latitude of the origin. Consequently, under the influence of new growing conditions, Scots pine is strongly affected by its genetic factors that determine the stability, trunk productivity, and reproductive capacity of the species. For citation: Galdina T.E., Chernodubov A.I., Mikhailova M.I. Intraspecific Diversity of Pinus sylvestris L. in Provenance Trials of the Central Russian Forest-Steppe Area. Lesnoy Zhurnal = Russian Forestry Journal, 2023, no. 3, pp. 84–98. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.37482/0536-1036-2023-3-84-98