VARIABILITY OF RADIAL GROWTH OF SCOTS PINE (PINUS SYLVESTRIS L.) POPULATIONS AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH CLIMATIC FACTORS IN PROGENY TRIAL

Abstract

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) is one of the most widely distributed and economically important forest tree species in Europe and is characterized by high genetic and ecological variability. Due to its wide distribution range, populations originating from different geographical regions may exhibit different growth responses to climatic conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the variability of radial growth of Scots pine populations in experimental plantations and to determine its relationship with climatic factors. The study was carried out using radial growth data of ten Scots pine populations originating from different geographical regions and growing in experimental plantations in Lithuania. Radial growth was assessed using dendrochronological methods based on measurements of annual tree-ring widths. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied to evaluate differences in radial growth among populations, while Pearson correlation analysis was used to assess relationships between ANOVA F values and monthly air temperature and precipitation data. The results showed that radial growth differed significantly among populations depending on their geographical origin. Populations originating from southern and mid-latitude regions generally exhibited higher radial growth compared with northern populations. The strength of the population effect on radial growth varied between years and was associated with interannual variability of climatic conditions. The results indicate that climatic factors play an important role in shaping differences in radial growth among Scots pine populations in experimental plantations.