Evaluation and selection of excellent provenances of Pinus koraiensis based on growth and wood properties

  Objective  This paper aims to provide theoretical basis for genetic improvement of Pinus koraiensis by evaluating and selecting provenances.

  Method  The growth traits (tree height, DBH, basal diameter, straightness, branch angle, crown width, volume of wood) and wood traits (wood density, fiber length, fiber width, carbon content, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, ash mass fraction) of 26 P. koraiensis provenances in Maoershan Experimental Forest Farm of Shangzhi City, Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province of northeastern China were measured and analyzed.

  Result  (1) The results of variance analysis showed that the differences of each trait among provenances reached the extremely significant level (P < 0.01). Except for the wood density, fiber length, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and ash mass fraction, the group effects of other traits reached extremely significant differences (P < 0.01). Except for wood density, there were extremely significant differences in the group × provenance interaction effects of other traits (P < 0.01). (2) The phenotypic variation coefficient was 2.53%−33.47%. The heritability of each trait was high, the range of variation was 0.617−0.975. (3) The correlation analysis of growth traits showed significant level, and the correlations among all wood traits and between growth traits and wood traits were weak. (4) Principal component analysis results showed that the cumulative contribution of the first five principal components was 80.16%. Combined with the results of principal component Ⅰ and principal component Ⅱ in principal component analysis, 26 provenances of P. koraiensis were further evaluated. With the selection rate of 8%, two provenances with excellent growth traits were preliminarily selected, and the genetic gain range of each growth index was 12.52%−35.93%. Two excellent provenances with excellent wood traits were preliminarily selected, and the genetic gain range of each wood trait was −7.21%−11.55%, and the genetic gain of lignin mass fraction was −7.21%.

  Conclusion  Based on the growth and wood traits of P. koraiensis, four excellent provenances were evaluated and selected, which can provide basis for the popularization and application of P. koraiensis. The research method can provide reference for breeding of P. koraiensis and other tree species.