Comparison of wood yield and quality of Lithuanian provenances grown in experimental plantation

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the wood yield and stem quality of (Norway Spruce (Picea abies) provenances from Jurbarkas, Telšiai, Kaunas and Alytus and to assess the transfer effect. to Kaunas region. The problem was the following: incase of shortage of Norway spruce seeds in the local Dubrava forest enterprise, from where it would be profitable to introduce seeds? The object of the study: experimental plantation of Norway spruce in Vaišvydava forest district of Dubrava experimental forest enterprise established in 1995. Trees of four provenances are tested: Jurbarkas, Telšiai, Vaišvydava and Alytus. The total area of experimental plantation is 1.2 hectares. The work methods and technical means: the age of young trees was 11 years at the time of measurements. The following characteristics were measured: height young trees, the number of leader shoots, the straightness of stem, time of budburst (the beginning of the growth period). The height of trees was measured with telescopic measurement instrument; qualitative traits were evaluated according to the class scales used in the genetic research. The results were the following: It was established that the descendants of the provenance of Mociškiai were the tallest and of the best stem quality. The descendants of the provenance of Punia were in the second place by wood yield and quality. This advantage can be explained by good genetic quality of the tested material and the positive effect of transfer. The descendants of the provenance of Telšiai region were of the lowest height and of the poorest stem quality. The young trees of this provenance were transferred from the relatively cooler climatic zone to the warmer zone. Due to lower demand for night length, the trees of the transferred Telšiai provenance ceased active growth relatively earlier, and therefore were shorter. It was noticed that the following regularities take place: the descendants of the provenance of Telšiai were the shortest ones and they had poorer stem quality, and those of the provenances of Mociškiai and Punia were of both the similar height and the quality of stem just as those of local provenance of Dubrava. Hence, it is not recommended to move the seeds of spruce from Telšiai to Dubrava forestry.Žemės ūkio akademijaVytauto Didžiojo universiteta