A 10-year-old provenance trial of Betula platyphylla in the Maoershan area of Heilongjiang Province

Key words: 
• forest tree breeding /
• Betula platyphylla /
• provenance selection /
• geographical variation /
• provenance division

Abstract: To select excellent provenances for cellulose timber for Zhangguangcailing area and study the geographical variation rule of Betula platyphylla，research on 14 provenances from a provenance trial of 10-year-old B. platyphylla in Maoershan，Heilongjiang Province was conducted using principle component，canonical correlation，and cluster analyses. The provenance trial used randomized block design，which included 4 blocks and 30 trees for every provenance in a block. Results showed significant differences（P ＜0.01） in diameter at breast height，tree height，stem volume，and cellulose content. From the genetic parameters of these four characteristics，the principle component analysis revealed three excellent provenances for cellulose timber： Dongfanghong，Maoershan，and Wuyiling. The genetic gain for cellulose content was Dongfanghong：5.3%，Maoershan：10.0%，and Wuyiling：2.9%；whereas for stem volume it was：Dongfanghong：43.3%，Maoershan：38.1%，and Wuyiling：37.0%. The canonical correlation analysis between biological characteristics of B. platyphylla and geographical climatic factors of the different provenances showed that temperature and sunlight were the primary influential factors affecting biological characteristics. The cluster analysis grouped Daxing’anling，Liaodong，and Xiaoxing’anling-Changbaishan provenance areas. The excellent proveances could satisfy the production needs of cellulose timber for Zhangguangcailing area and the research provided theoretical foundation for further genetic improvement and seed allocation of B. platyphylla.［Ch，1 fig. 6 tab. 24 ref.］