Variability of resin canal diameter in the needles of different Douglas-fir provenances

Abstract

Douglas-fir is the most commonly grown allochthonous species in the forests of Europe. Growth speed, adaptive power, favorable wood properties, as well as low sensibility to pests are the attributes that have contributed the most to the success and occurrence of Douglas-fir plantations in Europe. Introduction program of an exotic species includes testing of its provenances in new ecosystems and localities. In Serbia, testing of the genetic potentials of Douglas-fir, native to North America, has begun by seting up provenance trials on several locations. Afforestation with exotic tree species must be justified and it should fulfill the aims of the introduction. Therefore, it is neccessary to test all the traits of the introduced species to show the effects of ecological factors. The aim of this research was to determine the ecological adaptations of Douglas-fir in Serbia by studying its anatomic characteristics. In the paper, the influence of locality conditions on the diameter of resin canals in the needles of different Douglas-fir provenances was investigated on the sites where the provenance tests were set up. A two-way ANOVA was performed, by investigating the effects of site and provenance factors on the diameter of resin canals. Resin canals serve as an important diagnostic taxonomic characteristic in conifers, while resin itself has important physiological and protective role in conifers.