Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

The effects of genetics and tree growth on the presence of spike knots in Scots pine progenies

  • Published:
New Forests Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Productive Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands in the Baltic region ensure high-quality sawlogs for the timber market and contribute to carbon sequestration. Spike knots are serious stem defects, which reduce the proportion of valuable timber; therefore, the extent of genetic control of their occurrence and relationship with other traits must be assessed for the potential to reduce negative impact via tree breeding. We aimed to evaluate the family effect on the presence of spike knots and its relation to growth traits in open-pollinated Scots pine progenies. A higher incidence of spike knots was associated with better height growth and the presence of lammas shoots. The family had a statistically significant effect on growth and spike knots, yet a mainly weak genotypic correlation was observed between both traits (rG = − 0.25 … 0.40). The family mean heritability of the spike knots was moderate (hf2 = 0.42 … 0.46), opposite to very low (h2 = 0.02… 0.05) single tree heritability. Although the presence of lammas shoots was low and was not affected by genetics, it showed a strong positive genotypic relationship with the formation of spike knots in the next growing season (rG = 0.80). The potential to select fast growing families with a low probability of spike knots was indicated, but a more comprehensive analysis is necessary to determine the extent of the genetic relationship between this stem defect and lammas shoots.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

References

  • Adams W, Bastien J (1994) Genetics of 2nd flushing in a french plantation of coastal Douglas-fir. Silvae Genet 43:345–352

    Google Scholar 

  • Andersson B, Elfving B, Persson T et al (2007) Characteristics and development of improved Pinus sylvestris in northern Sweden. Can J for Res 37:84–92. https://doi.org/10.1139/x06-224

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bergquist J, Bergström R, Zakharenka A (2003) Responses of young Norway spruce (Picea abies) to winter browsing by roe deer (Capreolus capreolus): effects on height growth and stem morphology. Scand J for Res 18:368–376. https://doi.org/10.1080/0282758031005431

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berlin M, Jansson G, Danell Ö et al (2009) Economic weight of tree survival relative to volume production in tree breeding: a case study with Pinus sylvestris in northern Sweden. Scand J for Res 24:288–297. https://doi.org/10.1080/02827580903117396

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cline MG, Harrington CA (2007) Apical dominance and apical control in multiple flushing of temperate woody species. Can J for Res 37:74–83. https://doi.org/10.1139/x06-218

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cline MG, Bhave N, Harrington CA (2009) The possible roles of nutrient deprivation and auxin repression in apical control. Trees Struct Funct 23:489–500. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-008-0294-8

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Codesido V, Fernández-López J (2008) Juvenile genetic parameter estimates for vigour, stem form, branching habit and survival in three radiata pine (Pinus radiata D. Don) progeny tests in Galicia. NW Spain Eur J for Res 127:315–325. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-008-0207-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dickerson GE (1969) Techniques for research in quantitative animal genetics. Techniques and procedures in animal science research. Am Soc Anim Sci, Albany, pp 36–79

    Google Scholar 

  • Egbäck S, Liziniewicz M, Högberg KA et al (2012) Influence of progeny and initial stand density on growth and quality traits of 21 year old half-sib Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). For Ecol Manag 286:1–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2012.09.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fundova I, Hallingbäck HR, Jansson G, Wu HX (2020) Genetic improvement of sawn-board stiffness and strength in scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). Sensors 20:1129. https://doi.org/10.3390/s20041129

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Gilmour AR, Anderson RD, Rae AL (1985) The analysis of binomial data by a generalised linear mixed model. Biometrika 72:593–599

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gould PJ, St B, Clair J, Anderson PD (2011) Performance of full-sib families of Douglas-fir in pure-family and mixed-family deployments. For Ecol Manag 262:1417–1425. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2011.06.042

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Granhus A, Metslaid M, Kvaalen H, Søgaard G (2019) Tree, stand and site characteristics affecting the occurrence of lammas growth and multiple tops in field-grown Norway spruce. New for 50:291–305. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-018-9664-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haapanen M, Hynynen J, Ruotsalainen S et al (2016) Realised and projected gains in growth, quality and simulated yield of genetically improved Scots pine in southern Finland. Eur J for Res 135:997–1009. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-016-0989-0

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hadfield JD (2010) MCMC methods for multi-response generalized linear mixed models: the MCMCglmm R package. J Stat Softw 33:1–22. https://doi.org/10.18637/jss.v033.i02

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hannerz M, Sonesson J, Ekberg I (1999) Genetic correlations between growth and growth rhythm observed in a short-term test and performance in long-term field trials of Norway spruce. Can J for Res 29:768–778. https://doi.org/10.1139/x99-056

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Högberg KA, Persson B, Hallingbäck HR, Jansson G (2010) Relationships between early assessments of stem and branch properties and sawn timber traits in a Pinus sylvestris progeny trial. Scand J for Res 25:421–431. https://doi.org/10.1080/02827581.2010.509330

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Isik F, Goldfarb B, LeBude A et al (2005) Predicted genetic gains and testing efficiency from two loblolly pine clonal trials. Can J for Res 35:1754–1766. https://doi.org/10.1139/x05-064

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jansons A, Neimane U, Dzerina B, Adamovics A (2016a) Influence of lammas shoots on height of young Scots pines in Latvia. Agron Res 14:407–417

    Google Scholar 

  • Jansons Ā, Neimane U, Polmanis K et al (2016b) Cumulative effect of needle cast on scots pine saplings. For Stud 65:5–15. https://doi.org/10.1515/fsmu-2016-0007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jansons Ā (2008) Genotype-environment interaction in Latvian Scots pine growth and quality traits and its impact on progeny testing. In: Res Rural Developement of Annual 14th International Science Conference on Proceedings, Jelgava, Latv, pp 128–136

  • Jayawickrama KJS, Ye TZ (2021) Heritability and type B genetic correlation estimates for coastal Douglas-fir in the US Pacific Northwest: trends and insights from 906 first-generation and second-cycle tests. Scand J for Res 36:83–97. https://doi.org/10.1080/02827581.2021.1890815

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Katrevics J, Neimane U, Dzerina B et al (2018) Environmental factors affecting formation of lammas shoots in young stands of Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst.) in Latvia. Iforest 11:809–815. https://doi.org/10.3832/ifor2539-011

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klauss K (2020) The forest sector in the Baltic States: A united, growth-oriented economic ecosystem. In: Liuhto K (ed) The forest industry around the Baltic Sea region: future challenges and opportunities. Centrum Balticum Foundation, Turku, pp 59–68

  • Krakau U-K, Liesebach M, Aronen T et al (2013) Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). In: Pâques L (ed) Forest tree breeding in Europe. Springer, Dordrecht, pp 267–323

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Lynch M, Walsh B (1998) Genetics and analysis of quantitative traits. Sinauer Associates, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Magalska L, Howe GT (2014) Genetic and environmental control of Douglas-fir stem defects. For Ecol Manag 318:228–238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2014.01.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mullin TJ, Andersson B, Bastien JC, et al (2011) Economic importance, breeding objectives and achievements. In: Plomion C, Bousquet J, Kole C (eds) Genetics, genomics and breeding of conifers. Edenbridge Science Publishers and CRC Press, pp 40–127

  • Neimane U, Baumanis I, Jansons Ā (2012) Parastās priedes (Pinus sylvestris L.) veģetatīvo un ģeneratīvo pēcnācēju augšanas salīdzinājums [Growth comparison of vegetative and generative progenies of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.)]. Mežzinātne 26:102–119

    Google Scholar 

  • Neimane U, Zadina M, Sisenis L et al (2015) Influence of lammas shoots on productivity of Norway spruce in Latvia. Agron Res 13:354–360

    Google Scholar 

  • Niinemets Ü, Lukjanova A (2003) Needle longevity, shoot growth and branching frequency in relation to site fertility and within-canopy light conditions in Pinus sylvestris. Ann for Sci 60:195–208. https://doi.org/10.1051/forest:2003012

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patrick Cumbie W, Isik F, McKeand SE (2012) Genetic improvement of sawtimber potential in loblolly pine. For Sci 58:168–177. https://doi.org/10.5849/forsci.09-060

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prescher F, Ståhl EG (1986) The effect of provenance and spacing on stem straightness and number of spike knots of Scots pine in South and Central Sweden. Stud For Suec 172:1–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruotsalainen S (2014) Increased forest production through forest tree breeding. Scand J for Res 29:333–344. https://doi.org/10.1080/02827581.2014.926100

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Søgaard G, Fløistad IS, Granhus A et al (2011) Lammas shoots in spruce—occurrence, genetics and climate. In: Granhus A, Hanssen KH, Søgaard G (eds) Forest management and silviculture in the north—balancing future needs. Skog og landskap, Stjørdal, pp 57–58

    Google Scholar 

  • Ståhl EG, Persson B, Prescher F (1990) Effect of provenance and spacing on stem straightness and number of stems with spike knots in Pinus sylvestris L. northern Sweden and countrywide models. Stud for Suec 184:16

    Google Scholar 

  • State Forest Service (2022) Production of forest reproductive material. https://data.stat.gov.lv/pxweb/en/OSP_PUB/START__NOZ__ME__MEP/MEP020/. Accessed 17 Oct 2022

  • Tegelmark DO (1999) Prediction of stern properties based on climate and soil factors in naturally regenerated Pinus sylvestris stands. Scand J for Res 14:131–142. https://doi.org/10.1080/02827589950152863

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Temel F, Adams WT (2000) Persistence and age-age genetic correlations of stem defects in coastal Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. Menziesii (Mirb.) Franco). For Genet 7:145–153

    Google Scholar 

  • Xiong JS, Isik F, McKeand SE, Whetten RW (2010) Genetic variation of stem forking in loblolly pine. For Sci 56:429–436. https://doi.org/10.1093/FORESTSCIENCE/56.5.429

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xiong JS, McKeand SE, Whetten RW, Isik FT (2014) Genetics of stem forking and Ramicorn branches in a cloned loblolly pine family. For Sci 60:360–366. https://doi.org/10.5849/forsci.12-018

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

Initial inventories had been carried out in JSC “Latvijas valsts meži” project ‘Support for Forest Tree Seed Production (5-5.9.1_0080_101_21_86)’.

Funding

This study was funded by European Regional Development Fund Project ‘Decision support tool for increased forest productivity via efficient climate adjusted transfer of genetic gain (No. 1.1.1.1/19/A/111)’.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Latvian State Forest Research Institute (LSFRI) Silava, Rigas Street 111, Salaspils, 2169, Latvia

    Pauls Zeltiņš, Raitis Rieksts-Riekstiņš & Āris Jansons

  2. Ukrainian Institute for Plant Variety Examination, 15 Henerala Rodymtseva Street, Kiev, 03041, Ukraine

    Larysa Prysiazhniuk

  3. Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, Institute of Forestry, Liepų Street 1, Girionys, 53101, Kaunas District, Lithuania

    Virgilijus Baliuckas

Authors
  1. Pauls Zeltiņš
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Raitis Rieksts-Riekstiņš
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Larysa Prysiazhniuk
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Virgilijus Baliuckas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Āris Jansons
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

Conceptualisation, Ā.J. ; methodology, Ā.J., V.B. and L.P.; data curation, R.R-R.; data analysis, P.Z.; original draft preperation, P.Z. and R.R-R.; project administration, Ā.J.; all authors contributed to review and editing.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Pauls Zeltiņš.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflict of interest to declare that are relevant to the content of this article.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zeltiņš, P., Rieksts-Riekstiņš, R., Prysiazhniuk, L. et al. The effects of genetics and tree growth on the presence of spike knots in Scots pine progenies. New Forests 55, 403–416 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-023-09984-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-023-09984-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation