Adaptive variation in morphological traits of Pinus patula Schiede ex Schltdl. & Cham. seedlings
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29298/rmcf.v17i96.1647Keywords:
Germination capacity, canonical correlations, genetic differentiation, early evaluation, morphological traits, natural selectionAbstract
The seedling establishment stage of tree species is under strong selection pressures, so morphological traits of seedlings commonly show strong adaptive value and are relevant for genetic improvement purposes. The objectives were to determine the adaptive variation in morphological traits of Pinus patula seedlings and their relationships with the geoclimatic conditions at the seed′s origin site. Germination capacity (GC), number of cotyledons (NC), cotyledon length (CL), and hypocotyl length (HL) were evaluated and correlated with geoclimatic variables during the 1991-2020 period at the progeny′s origin sites. Genetic variation among families was wide; the greatest variation was observed in GC with average values ranging from 11 to 100 %. With the exception of NC, the correlation between morphological variables and latitude, longitude, mean annual temperature, temperature of the warmest month, beginning and ending dates of the frost-free period, snowfall, and extreme temperature ranged from -0.29 to 0.66. Seeds from sites further North and West, which were warmer and had a longer frost-free period, exhibited higher GC, CL, and HL. The first canonical function explained 77 % of variation among morphological and geoclimatic variables. The results help identify the geoclimatic factors that influence the adaptation of Pinus patula at early stages of development, thereby promoting the initial vigor of seedlings and their adaptation during the establishment phase.
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