EJPAU 2007. Zarek M. VARIABILITY OF MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF NEEDLES, SHOOTS AND SEEDS OF <I>TAXUS BACCATA</I> L. IN NATURE RESERVATIONS OF SOUTHERN POLAND

Electronic Journal of Polish Agricultural Universities (EJPAU) founded by all Polish Agriculture Universities presents original papers and review articles relevant to all aspects of agricultural sciences. It is target for persons working both in science and industry,regulatory agencies or teaching in agricultural sector. Covered by IFIS Publishing (Food Science and Technology Abstracts), ELSEVIER Science - Food Science and Technology Program, CAS USA (Chemical Abstracts), CABI Publishing UK and ALPSP (Association of Learned and Professional Society Publisher - full membership). Presented in the Master List of Thomson ISI.

2007
Volume 10
Issue 3/volume10

Topic:

Forestry

ELECTRONIC
JOURNAL OF
POLISH
AGRICULTURAL
UNIVERSITIES

Zarek M. 2007. VARIABILITY OF MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF NEEDLES, SHOOTS AND SEEDS OF TAXUS BACCATA L. IN NATURE RESERVATIONS OF SOUTHERN POLAND, EJPAU 10(3/volume10), #05.
Available Online: http://www.ejpau.media.pl/volume10/issue3/volume10/abs-05.html

VARIABILITY OF MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF NEEDLES, SHOOTS AND SEEDS OF TAXUS BACCATA L. IN NATURE RESERVATIONS OF SOUTHERN POLAND

Marcin Zarek
Department of Forest Pathology, Agricultural University, Cracow, Poland

ABSTRACT

The aim of this research was to enlarge knowledge about variation between populations of the English yew from southern Poland. This aim was realized by investigating morphological features of needles, shoots and seeds of yews from southern Poland. Researches show that there are significant differences in morphological features between populations from southern Poland. The lowest diversity between individuals was found in the nature reserve “Liswarta”, while the highest one was found in “Mogilno” and “Cisowa Góra” for the features of needles and seeds respectively. Average length of needles of Taxus baccata individuals growing in southern Poland is 23.5 mm (range from 15.4 to 36.6 mm), width – 2.4 mm (range from 1.8 to 3.1 mm), area – 57 mm² (range from 32.4 to 94.5 mm²), relation between needle length and width (slim coefficient) – 9.8 (range from 6.8 to 14.3), dry matter of 1000 needles – 5.11 g (range from 1.7 to 17.5 g). Needles dimensions depend on individual genotype and grow simultaneously with age. The results obtained for needles age groups are highly correlated. Needles dry matter is high correlated with precipitation on corresponding nature reserve area and show the highest variability. Average yearly increment of shoots is 5 cm (range from 1 to 16 cm) and depends on genetic and environmental factors together. Average length of seeds is 5.6 mm, width – 4.4 mm and thickness – 4.0 mm. Average wet and dry matter of 1000 seeds is 54 and 47 g respectively and is high correlated with seeds dimensions.

Key words: morphological features, needles, seeds, shoots, Taxus baccata L., variability, yew.

Marcin Zarek
Department of Forest Pathology,
Agricultural University, Cracow, Poland
Al. 29 Listopada 46, 31-425 Cracow, Poland
email: rlzarek@cyf-kr.edu.pl

Responses to this article, comments are invited and should be submitted within three months of the publication of the article. If accepted for publication, they will be published in the chapter headed 'Discussions' and hyperlinked to the article.