Geographical Variation in Bud-burst Timing of Zelkova serrata Provenances

Abstract

This study was conducted to examine the geographic variation of bud phenology of Zelkova serrata provenances. Data were collected from Gangneung, Yilmsil, Hwaseong and Jinju plantations which were parts of the 6 provenance trials established by Korea Forest Research Institute in 2009. The 16 provenances were included in these trials. The starting date of bud burst and finishing date of leaf expansion were investigated from April to May every other day. The four geographic factors and fifteen climatic factors of the test sites and provenances were considered in this study. Canonical correlation analysis was conducted to examine the major factors affecting the bud phenology between test sites and provenances. The study results suggested that the major factors affecting the timing of bud burst were the differences of extremely high temperature (March-October), annual mean temperature, mean temperature (March-October), extremely high temperature (July-August) and mean humidity (June-October) between test site and provenance. The provenances with lower mean or high temperature than those of plantation showed the earlier bud burst and leaf expansion. It showed a typical north-south or low-high temperature cline. Finally, we discussed the implication of the tree breeding program of Z. serrata based on these results.