Bud set and autumn coloration of Larix sibirica and Larix gmelinii provenances in a field trial in southern Finland

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to analyse the differences in the bud set, autumn coloration and needle shedding of seedlings in 20 Russian larch provenances and five comparison entries in field conditions in southern Finland over two growing seasons. Furthermore, it was studied if the differences could be explained by the geographic and climatic conditions of the provenance origins. We found that the provenances from cold northern climates developed both their terminal buds first and formed autumn colour as well as shed their needles much earlier than southern provenances. The timing of the bud set occurred earlier in 2008 compared to 2009, which was probably caused by lower than average temperatures in July and August of 2008. Thus, in addition to photoperiod, temperature also seemed to affect the bud set. The southern Dahurian larch provenances were able to utilise the length of the growing season the most effectively. The climatic adaptation, growth and properties of the provenances should be, however, studied over a longer time period. Therefore, currently used Raivola origin is still the safest choice for larch forestry in Finland.

Keywords:

• larch
• Larix
• provenance
• bud set
• autumn coloration
• phenology

Acknowledgements

The help and support of numerous persons at the Punkaharju Research Unit of the Finnish Forest Research Institute in establishing and measuring the experiment is greatly appreciated. Prof. Heikki Hänninen, Dr Anneli Viherä-Aarnio, Dr Jouni Partanen and the two anonymous referees gave valuable comments about the manuscript. The support provided by the Finnish Forest Research Institute and University of Eastern Finland, School of Forest Sciences, is also acknowledged. In addition, the personal grants awarded by the Foundation for Forest Tree Breeding and the Finnish Society of Forest Science to Antti J. Lukkarinen are gratefully acknowledged.

Funding

This work was partly funded by the EU Northern Periphery SIBLARCH project, which also provided the materials used in the study.

Additional information

Funding

Funding: This work was partly funded by the EU Northern Periphery SIBLARCH project, which also provided the materials used in the study.