Adaptive variation in Picea mariana from northwestern Ontario determined by short-term common environment tests
1994
Parker, W.H. | Niejenhuis, A. van | Charrette, P.
To obtain a better understanding of the pattern of adaptive variation of Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P. from northwestern Ontario, a short-term provenance test was carried out for 75 seed sources collected east and west of Lake Nipigon. Provenances were grown in common environments at a greenhouse for two seasons (1990-1991) and a farm field and a forestry trial each for four growing seasons (1990-1993). Twenty-five growth and phenological variables were determined, including seedling height, needle flushing date, and the timing of shoot elongation. Significant levels of interprovenance variation were present for 18 of these variables. Graphic analysis of the pattern of variation indicated that sources from the southwestern portion of the collected area generally grew faster and flushed later than easterly sources near the north shore of Lake Superior. Superimposed on this general pattern were several irregularities caused by one or more provenances. Multiple regressions were run for each of the 18 variables against latitude, elevation, and 12 climatic variables interpolated for each of the seed sources by a geographic information system from 1951-1980 data obtained from 56 nearby weather stations. Large coefficients of variation (up to 0.57) were obtained for some variables. Combinations of climatic variables, including winter minimum and summer maximum temperatures together with precipitation and timing of the growing season, were excellent predictors of black spruce needle flushing dates, while summer temperature, precipitation, and elevation were moderately good predictors of height growth.
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