Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) is the most widespread European conifer tree. In Italy the species is widely spread throughout the Alps, and some relic populations can be found in the northern Apennines, in the hilly areas of Piedmont (north-western Italy) and in the upper part of the Po Valley. The present distribution is influenced by human activities; in the Alps Scots pine has been often substitutes by other species while the other populations are nowadays regressing, mainly due to recruitment limitations, competition with other forest trees and shrubs, and as a consequence of rural depopulation and the abandonment of wood management. Although the species at present is not threatened with extinction, preservation of genetic resources appears to be an important goal, even for breeding. Provenance trials were established in Italy in 1938 and between 1958 and 1962. Among the Italian tested genotype, the one from Olgelasca showed the best performance and the lower genotype x environment interaction. This provenance was used to establish a seed orchard, although a recent research demonstrated that the latter show a genetic variability much lower than the origin stand, possibly due to a very limited number of individuals chosen for seed collection. The identification of Regions of Provenance is of the utmost importance for a rational management of enterprises linked to forest tree propagation, including afforestation and genetic conservation. Twenty-one populations sampled over the entire Italian range of the species were analysed for genetic variation at 9 nuclear microsatellite loci. High levels of intra-population variability were scored: the population sampled in the Apennines showed the lowest value, confirming the genetic erosion undergone in the Scots pine remnants in this area. Populations from hilly areas of Piedmont and Po Valley showed low level of genetic variability as well. Most genetic diversity was found within populations while about 6% of the total genetic diversity occurred among them. Populations from Apennines and Po Valley were clearly separated from the others. Additionally, the ecological characteristics of the collection sites were analysed and homogeneous regions were defined. Lastly, patterns of genetic and ecological variations were compared, allowing us to identify areas that are both ecologically and genetically homogeneous and that are proposed as Region of provenance for Scots pine in Italy.

Regioni di Provenienza per il pino silvestre

BELLETTI, Piero;FERRAZZINI, DIANA;
2011-01-01

Abstract

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) is the most widespread European conifer tree. In Italy the species is widely spread throughout the Alps, and some relic populations can be found in the northern Apennines, in the hilly areas of Piedmont (north-western Italy) and in the upper part of the Po Valley. The present distribution is influenced by human activities; in the Alps Scots pine has been often substitutes by other species while the other populations are nowadays regressing, mainly due to recruitment limitations, competition with other forest trees and shrubs, and as a consequence of rural depopulation and the abandonment of wood management. Although the species at present is not threatened with extinction, preservation of genetic resources appears to be an important goal, even for breeding. Provenance trials were established in Italy in 1938 and between 1958 and 1962. Among the Italian tested genotype, the one from Olgelasca showed the best performance and the lower genotype x environment interaction. This provenance was used to establish a seed orchard, although a recent research demonstrated that the latter show a genetic variability much lower than the origin stand, possibly due to a very limited number of individuals chosen for seed collection. The identification of Regions of Provenance is of the utmost importance for a rational management of enterprises linked to forest tree propagation, including afforestation and genetic conservation. Twenty-one populations sampled over the entire Italian range of the species were analysed for genetic variation at 9 nuclear microsatellite loci. High levels of intra-population variability were scored: the population sampled in the Apennines showed the lowest value, confirming the genetic erosion undergone in the Scots pine remnants in this area. Populations from hilly areas of Piedmont and Po Valley showed low level of genetic variability as well. Most genetic diversity was found within populations while about 6% of the total genetic diversity occurred among them. Populations from Apennines and Po Valley were clearly separated from the others. Additionally, the ecological characteristics of the collection sites were analysed and homogeneous regions were defined. Lastly, patterns of genetic and ecological variations were compared, allowing us to identify areas that are both ecologically and genetically homogeneous and that are proposed as Region of provenance for Scots pine in Italy.
2011
179
29
33
Pino silvestre; Regioni di Provenienza; Risorse genetiche
Belletti P.; Camerano P.; Ducci F.; Ferrazzini D.; Riccobene R.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2318/90495
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