DEPENDENCE OF WATER-HOLDING CAPACITY OF NEEDLES ON THE CONDITION OF THE CROWN AND SIZE OF CONIFEROUS TREES IN KRASNOYARSK PARKS
N. A. Tikhonova
Krasnoyarsk Science Centre of the Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Science, V. N. Sukachev Institute of Forest, Russian Academy of Sciences, Siberian Branch, Krasnoyarsk, Russian Federation
Keywords: pine, spruce, drought resistance, urban conditions, selection
Abstract
A study of Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.), Siberian spruce ( Picea obovata Ledeb.), and blue spruce ( Picea pungens Engelm.) tree samples in the parks of the city of Krasnoyarsk was conducted to select the most urban-tolerant forms. Morphological parameters of the stem and crown, as well as crown condition, were measured. Water-holding capacity of needles was used to assess tree drought tolerance. The most informative traits characterizing tree resilience to urban conditions, habit, and gas-cleaning capacity were selected for correlation analysis. Significant differences in the nature of multiple correlations between traits were found in the compared species within each park, as well as between samples of the same species from different parks across the city. A comparative analysis of correlation coefficients showed that the magnitude and direction of the relationship can serve as an additional significant criterion for selecting trees not only based on direct but also indirect traits. The results of correlation and discriminant analyses showed that tree breeding approaches should differ across the city, including due to the varying ages of tree stands. It is likely that, given increased air pollution and negative correlations between resistance traits and tree growth, a compromise between resistance and productivity is needed for urban tree breeding. Three evergreen coniferous species with the best traits were selected for further selection and use in urban landscaping.
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