Clonal variations in nutritional components of Pinus koreansis seeds collected from seed orchards in Northeastern China

Abstract

From four Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) orchards, 60 clones were selected and analyzed for the fatty acid and amino acid components of the seeds to reveal the variations and correlations of the seed characteristics among the clonal source orchards and clones. The nutritional components of the seeds of the P. koraiensis trees exhibited rich genetic variation; the variation coefficient of the fatty acids was 2.24-66.83 %, while the variation coefficient of the amino acids was 14.70-38.88 %. Relatively high genetic-improvement potential exists for the nutritional components of the seeds. The phenotypic differentiation of the fatty acid and amino acid components reveals that variation within the population (85.18 %) was the primary source for the variation of the fatty acid components; variation among the orchards (63.08 %) was the primary source of the variation of the amino acid components. Data drawn from various clonal source orchards all showed that the seed characteristics were highly controlled by heritability (h 2 [ 80 %), and the seed characteristics of the P. koraiensis trees exhibited a similar genetic gain trend. The principal components were analyzed to obtain the comprehensive principal component value for each clonal seed orchard. Twelve clones were selected based on a clonal selection rate of 20 %. Correlation and multiple stepwise-regression analyses were conducted, considering different location conditions, to reveal the stable correlations between the seed characteristics to facilitate improvements of the seed yield of P. koraiensis trees and the clonal selection. Species of real characteristics in P. koraiensis were controlled by higher heritability. Genetic gain was obtained by selecting of superior clones.

EST–SSR marker development and transcriptome sequencing analysis of different tissues of Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis Sieb. et Zucc.)

“…Especially, Korean pine nuts are the product of an edible woody oil tree species with oil content as high as 56.76%. The nutritional components of the seeds of the P. koraiensis trees exhibited rich variation; the variation coefficient of the fatty acids was 2.24%-66.83% [39]. Our research obtained 41,476 unigenes and 25,824 annotation information unigenes by assembly.…”

Oil content, fatty acid composition and biodiesel properties among natural provenances of Siberian apricot (Prunus sibirica L.) from China

“…The results of Zhang et al. (2016) on Korean pine ( Pinus koreansis ) showed that oleic acid (C18:1) and linoleic acid (C18:2) were the most abundant fatty acids. Archontoulis et al.…”

“…Among them, the oleic acid (C18:1) and linoleic acid (C18:2) account for the highest proportion agreed with previous reports . The results of Zhang et al (2016) on Korean pine (Pinus koreansis) showed that oleic acid (C18:1) and linoleic acid (C18:2) were the most abundant fatty acids. Archontoulis et al (2010) also found that the contents of oleic acid and linoleic acid accounted for 81.91% of the total fatty acids contents in the cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.).…”

Phenotypic Variability and Genetic Diversity in a Pinus koraiensis Clonal Trial in Northeastern China

“…It is widely appreciated for its use in internal and external construction, particularly due to the high quality of its wood [3]. The nuts of this species are also used for a variety of nutritional products and therapeutics [4]. Because of its various economic benefits, along with its increasingly recognized environmental roles in CO 2 sequestration, water regulation and soil protection for plantations on slopes [5], the Korean pine has been extensively recommended for afforestation and reforestation projects [6].…”

“…were selected based only on their growth traits or wood properties to meet the demand for timber over the past several years [11]. However, with the official decree in 2016 against the cutting of natural forests, more attention has been paid to seeds and cones of P. koraiensis [4,12]. Considering only the seed yield, China is reported to have generated more than $250 million USD annually from pine nuts [13].…”