Specifics of growth by diameter of red male cones and yellow male cones forms of Scots pine

Abstract

Ecotopic analysis of the Scots pine Pinus sylvestris L. population structure based on the ratio of intraspecific forms – red male cones P. s. f. erythranthera Sanio and yellow male cones P. s. f. sulfuranthera Kozubow was performed in the plantations in the Shira steppe of the Republic of Khakassia. It was found that the part of red male cones form trees is (22.5 ± 1.9) %, while in extreme growth conditions associated with a distinct lack of moisture or, in contrast, seasonal excess moisture, the share of their participation increases. A statistically significant relationship between the color of male generative structures and the stand DBH in various ecotopic conditions was identified by the information analysis. The trees’ yellow male cones form has larger stem diameters in the optimal and seasonal excess moisture content. The trees’ red male cones form has best radial growth in the most xerophytic conditions; a high abundance in seasonal excess moisture conditions and in high-density plantations, also characterizes them. The results obtained show that the less common red male cones form of the Scots pine is an adaptively significant «element» of intraspecific diversity, providing a functional «safety margin» of populations and their stability in extreme growing conditions.

Keywords

• pinus sylvestris l.
• artificial stands
• intraspecific biodiversity
• sample plot
• stem diameter
• intraspecies structure
• shira steppe
• republic of khakassia