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The timing of latewood formation determines the genetic variation of wood density in Larix kaempferi

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Abstract

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The seasonal change of the wood formation stage, especially the timing of the cessation of cell division, are key to understanding the genetic difference of wood density.

Abstract

Wood density is important in terms of various wood properties and forest carbon sequestration properties. Wood density is genetically variable, although the mechanism that causes this variability is not well clarified. We hypothesized that wood formation dynamics differ genetically and that this affects wood density. We analyzed the dynamics of wood formation, including the timing of earlywood-latewood transition and the cessation of cell division, and their relationship to clonal differences in wood density using nine clones of Larix kaempferi, through microscopy observations and X-ray densitometry. Wood density showed a strong correlation with the proportion of latewood. The clonal variation of the timing of the earlywood-latewood transition was small. The timing of the cessation of cell division differed clonally by a maximum of 42.7 days and was correlated with the duration of latewood formation. The duration of latewood formation showed a correlation coefficient of 0.925 with the proportion of latewood. We described a hierarchical relationship that explained the genetic difference in wood density in mature L. kaempferi wood in the following sequence; the timing of cessation of latewood formation, the duration of latewood formation, the proportion of latewood, and wood density.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Dr. Takeshi Fujiwara from the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute (FFPRI), Japan, for his advices regarding the sample preparation methods using LR-white, and Dr. Toru Taniguchi, Forest Bio-Research Center, FFPRI, for his advices regarding the sample preparation methods using Kawamoto’s film methods. We would also like to thank members of the Forest Tree Breeding Center, FFPRI, especially Mr. Ryo Furumoto, Dr. Makoto Takahashi, Dr. Tomonori Hirao, and Ms. Miyoko Tsubomura for their help for sampling.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Kyushu Regional Breeding Office, Forest Tree Breeding Center, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, 2320-5 Suya, Koshi, Kumamoto, 861-1102, Japan

    Eitaro Fukatsu

  2. Hokkaido Regional Breeding Office, Forest Tree Breeding Center, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Bunkyodai-midori-machi, Ebetsu, Hokkaido, 069-0836, Japan

    Ryogo Nakada

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  1. Eitaro Fukatsu
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Correspondence to Eitaro Fukatsu.

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Communicated by S. Vospernik.

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Fukatsu, E., Nakada, R. The timing of latewood formation determines the genetic variation of wood density in Larix kaempferi. Trees 32, 1233–1245 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-018-1705-0

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