Influence of climate variables on resin yield and secretory structures in tapped Pinus pinaster Ait. in central Spain

Abstract

a b s t r a c tIn the last five years, sharp increases in the price of natural resins, accompanied by technological advances directed toward mechanization, have made resin tapping a strategic activity for rural development and forest conservation. The resin industry demands more efficient tapping methods and forest management plans as a way to increase competitiveness in a global market. Understanding the effects of environmental conditions on resin yield, especially under the current scenario of climate change, is key to improving techniques and plans in the resin industry. This study aims to evaluate the intra-and inter-annual effects of climate conditions and soil water availability on resin yield in tapped Pinus pinaster stands. The individual resin yield of 26 tapped trees growing at two locations with different stand densities and soil characteristics was measured fortnightly during the tapping season (June to October) for four years. The study was complemented with an analysis of changes in xylem anatomy over the four years, with a focus on axial resin canal traits, including 12 non-tapped trees as controls. Intra-annual variation in resin yield was strongly correlated with temperature, solar radiation, potential evapotranspiration and water deficit. Inter-annual variation in resin yield and resin canal abundance were correlated with temperature and water deficit in spring, but above a certain threshold of cumulated water deficit in summer rainfall favored resin yield. Under adverse climate scenarios where resource optimization is desirable, a reduced tapping season during the warmest months (June-September) would be advisable, assuming a very small production loss. Similarly, in years with a rainy summer and/or dry spring, a slightly longer tapping season could be suggested, as resin yield increases after these events.

Short Communication. Resin tapping activity as a contribution to the management of maritime pine forest

“…This difference may be the result of the length of harvesting season, and number of resin wounds (Palma, 2007). Mean resin yield values per tree obtained in both sites are consistent with literature: 2-2.5 kg/face (Oliveira et al, 2000), 2-higher than 4 kg/tree , 3.7 kg/ tree , 2.39-3.21 kg/tree (Rodríguez-García et al, 2014, 2015. Mean resin yield values per face were used in the definition of the yield scenarios -high (3.75 kg/face) and low (1.31 kg/face) resin yield.…”

Genetic Variation, Heritability and Genotype × Environment Interactions of Resin Yield, Growth Traits and Morphologic Traits for Pinus elliottii at Three Progeny Trials

“…According to the three progeny trials in the present study, the mean RY values of P. elliottii, varied from 1.16 kg/tree to 1.24 kg/tree month (38.6-41.3 g/tree day) and were somewhat higher than some other pine species [14,16,26]. However, the present RY values for P. elliottii families were slightly lower than those reported for 15-year-old families of P. massoniana because these values were higher than 45 g/tree day [27].…”

“…The ability of an individual to produce resin is modulated by the environmental conditions because the environmental conditions have various effects on the properties of the resin duct, where resin is synthesized and stored. Sites with high radiation (favoring photosynthesis processes), high summer temperatures (delaying radial resin canal sealing), and low rainfall (inducing resin canal formation) will be highly productive or determine high resin production [26]. During the tapping season, warm springs and summers with low humidity percentages could correspond to higher resin yield values.…”

Genetic and correlation analysis of oleoresin chemical components in slash pine

“…Oleoresin, a large-scale renewable resource, is favorably positioned as competition to chemical petroleum products as a viable alternative for sustainable development and environment protection in the current competitive global landscape (Lieutier et al, 2004). This characteristic has prompted immense scientific research on the resin generating mechanism (Wu and Hu, 1997), resistance function (Trapp and Croteau, 2001;Wainhouse et al, 2009), tapping techniques (Cunningham, 2012), and influence factors on yield improvement (Rodrigues et al, 2008;Rodríguez-García et al, 2015). Certain aspects of the oleoresin components have been also studied.…”