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        <title>Silvae Genetica Feed</title>
        <link>https://reference-global.com/journal/SG</link>
        <description>Reference Global RSS Feed for Silvae Genetica</description>
        <lastBuildDate>Tue, 20 Oct 2026 06:06:13 GMT</lastBuildDate>
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            <title>Silvae Genetica Feed</title>
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        <copyright>All rights reserved 2026, Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute</copyright>
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        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Variation in phenology traits in a common garden trial of Prunus avium L. seed sources in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany]]></title>
            <link>https://reference-global.com/article/10.2478/sg-2026-0008</link>
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            <pubDate>Wed, 26 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[Prunus avium (wild cherry) is considered as one of the candidate tree species to diversify forest stands. Due to climate change there is also more interest in using seed sources from warmer or dryer areas. The objective of the study is to investigate differences in budburst and senescence with a focus on seed orchard material.For this, we established a P. avium common garden trial with sites in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. We planted material from 14 seed orchards, 3 seed stands and 1 source-identified seed source from five Western European countries. The repeated assessments of budburst and senescence were analysed for differences between seed sources by modelling spatial trends using the ‘SpATS’ R-package and using a multi-site approach.We found small but significant differences between seed sources in both budburst and senescence. The largest difference between the average time of the appearance of first visible leaves between seed sources was approximately eight days. There was no clear geographical trend in budburst timing. Calculations of Finley-Wilkinson measures and Wricke’s ecovalence W2 indicate that most seed sources are stable over the different environments.We therefore conclude, when only considering budburst and senescence, that the forest reproductive material from these seed sources show potential for future reforestation in the Netherlands, Belgium and northern Germany. Nevertheless, the small differences in budburst and senescence may be taken into account when selecting forest reproductive material for specific sites with higher risk of damage by late or early frost events.]]></description>
            <category>ARTICLE</category>
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        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Stock plant etiolation and immersion in IBA solution stimulate rooting capacity of Pinus patula cuttings]]></title>
            <link>https://reference-global.com/article/10.2478/sg-2026-0006</link>
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            <pubDate>Sat, 08 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[Cloning by rooted cuttings from individuals with low adventitious root-forming capacity depends on multiple factors such as light exposure during cutting development and immersion time in indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) solution. This study evaluated the effects of stock plant etiolation on total soluble sugars concentration and endogenous growth regulators profile, and its combined effect with exogenous IBA application on rooting capacity of Pinus patula cuttings. Early morpho-anatomical changes related to root formation were also assessed. A first trial evaluated immersion time of cuttings (0, 15, 30, 60, 120, and 240 s) in a 5000 ppm IBA liquid solution. Afterwards, the combined effect of stock plant etiolation (0, 3, and 6 days) with IBA application (0 and 120 s immersion) was tested. Cuttings were rooted under controlled conditions (20–24°C and 85–100 % relative humidity) for twelve weeks. Variables measured included the percentage of live cuttings, callus formation, rooted cuttings, number of primary roots, length of the longest root, average primary root length, and percentage of rooted cuttings with secondary roots. Both trials showed over 98 % survival. IBA-immersion for 120 s achieved 83.6 % rooted cuttings. In the second trial, six-day etiolation with IBA-application produced the highest rooting (64.4 %) with more and longer primary roots, and 70.7 % secondary root presence. Etiolation reduced sugar content and increased endogenous auxin levels in cuttings compared to non-etiolated ones. Changes in soluble sugars and growth regulators due to etiolation enhanced root formation. Controlling these parameters provides an operational protocol for efficient cloning of Pinus patula.]]></description>
            <category>ARTICLE</category>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Genetic identification of wood-destroying fungi in weakened Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) forests using DNA barcoding]]></title>
            <link>https://reference-global.com/article/10.2478/sg-2026-0007</link>
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            <pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[Weakened forest stands provide a favorable environment for the development of saprotrophic and necrotrophic fungi. Traditional identification methods for these ecological groups of fungi are not always effective. However, modern DNA barcoding methods based on sequencing DNA regions of the studied fungal specimens and comparing them with the nucleotide sequences of previously classified organisms often allow for precise species identification. Thus, to identify fungi using barcoding in weakened Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands in the Central Forest-Steppe of European Russia (Voronezh, Voronezh Region), 55 mycelium and fruiting body samples were collected from conifer litter and Scots pine damaged butt part of the trunk and roots. After morphological and ecological description and systematization of the collection, DNA extraction was successfully performed, and the ITS1 and ITS2 regions were sequenced in 14 samples. Among them 11 taxa were identified - six at species and five at genus levels, including species Trichaptum fuscoviolaceum (Ehrenb.) Donk, Gymnopilus penetrans (Fr.) Murrill, and Ganoderma applanatum (Pers.) Pat. that infect living wood. The remaining eight representatives of the mycobiota were saprotrophic fungi involved in the mineralization of organic residues. Two phyla, Ascomycota and Basidiomycota, were identified, with the most samples belonging to Basidiomycota and the class Agaricomycetes with seven orders. The DNA barcoding method complements the results of morphological and ecological analysis.]]></description>
            <category>ARTICLE</category>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Genetic evaluation of growth and wood properties in new Acacia mangium × A. auriculiformis hybrid clones at Ba Vi, Hanoi, Vietnam]]></title>
            <link>https://reference-global.com/article/10.2478/sg-2026-0002</link>
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            <pubDate>Tue, 12 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[Acacia mangium × A. auriculiformis hybrids are widely deployed in tropical plantation forestry due to their rapid growth and versatile wood properties. This study evaluated growth, stem form, and wood properties in a clonal trial of 40 Acacia hybrid clones established at Ba Vi, northern Vietnam, with the objectives of quantifying clonal variation, estimating clonal-mean broad-sense heritability, examining relationships among traits, and identifying superior clones for potential deployment. The trial was assessed at age five using a randomized complete block design with four replications. Growth traits (diameter at breast height and total height), stem form traits (stem straightness and branch size), and wood properties (basic wood density and dynamic modulus of elasticity, MoEd) were analysed using linear mixed-effects models with spatially correlated residuals. Significant clonal variation was detected for all traits. Clonal-mean heritability was moderate for height (H² = 0.36 ± 0.06) and basic wood density (H² = 0.25 ± 0.06), and lower for MoEd (H² = 0.16 ± 0.05) and stem form traits. Genetic correlations indicated a strong positive association between height and diameter (rg = 0.90 ± 0.03) and moderate negative correlations between growth traits and basic wood density, indicating a trade-off between rapid growth and denser wood. Several clones outperformed certified control clones for stem volume while maintaining acceptable wood properties and survival, demonstrating substantial scope for phenotypic clonal selection and deployment of Acacia hybrids under Vietnamese plantation conditions.]]></description>
            <category>ARTICLE</category>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Genetic and phylogenetic comparisons of the fast-growing species in genus Neolamarckia for breeding and industrial exploitation]]></title>
            <link>https://reference-global.com/article/10.2478/sg-2026-0003</link>
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            <pubDate>Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[The Neolamarckia Bosser genus consists of two species: Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser and Neolamarckia macrophylla (Roxb.) Bosser, which are highly valued for industrial and medicinal applications in South Asian countries. The two species are sympatric and share several important characteristics in growth, wood quality, phytochemicals, and secondary meta-bolites. N. cadamba has been extensively utilized while N. macrophylla is rarely exploited. This article provides an overview of these two species from various aspects, specifically emphasizing their genetic relationships. Based on the organelle genomes, a single gene linked to cellulose synthesis, and molecular markers, the interspecific variation was initially analyzed, revealing a close genetic relationship between the two species. These results highlight the potential for cross-species research and pave the way for further exploration. Their evolutionary divergence and taxonomic positions within the Rubiaceae family require further clarification through nuclear genomes. Both species exhibited a moderate level of genetic diversity within populations in terms of nucleotide diversity per site with nrDNA ITS markers (π=0.1185±0.0242) for N. cadamba or heterozygosity with SSR markers (0.05~0.29) for N. macrophylla. While population genetic structure assayed with molecular markers was generally low in N. cadamba (Fst≈3 % in China), it could be high in N. macrophylla (Φ_st≈ 55 % in Indonesia). Quantitative genetic differentiation in wood traits was small among provenances of N. cadamba but remains to be investigated in N. macrophylla. The two species potentially have similar wood properties and low heritability of wood traits. Molecular studies on wood traits in both species are limited, emphasizing the significance and urgency of future research on genetic improvement of wood traits for industrial purposes, prompting action and making progress in this area.]]></description>
            <category>ARTICLE</category>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Reduced Inbreeding Seed Orchard Engine: A Web-Based Application for Optimising Seed Orchard Layouts]]></title>
            <link>https://reference-global.com/article/10.2478/sg-2026-0004</link>
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            <pubDate>Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[In advanced seed orchards, factors such as shared clone origins and uneven planting densities heighten the chances of inbreeding. The RISE tool advances beyond traditional minimum-inbreeding and quadratic assignment frameworks by incorporating comprehensive coancestry data, gap-filling for plant losses, variable clone counts, and dynamic features like distance graphs and selectable clone emphasis in an online environment. This research describes an innovative browseraccessible program that creates efficient orchard arrangements for practical forest management, employing a preliminary placement strategy paired with a streamlined annealing process to reduce the inbreeding indicator, d_min. The system accommodates custom grid setups, the number of clones, clonal replicates, and sibling links, producing arrangements through spreadsheet exports and engaging visual displays. Relative to arbitrary configurations, the program yields notably reduced d_min levels (an indicator of mating hazards). It provides statistical analysis of the resulting orchard, such as paired t-test, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and Levene’s test, validating improvements across cases. It can handle complex pedigrees and co-ancestry estimates from marker based genomic studies. The tool suits forestry practitioners, delivering an effective option for orchards of diverse scales. The program's architecture, approach, and forestry applications are explored, underscoring its role in advancing orchard oversight.]]></description>
            <category>ARTICLE</category>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Optimal age for selection in breeding clonal Tectona grandis]]></title>
            <link>https://reference-global.com/article/10.2478/sg-2026-0001</link>
            <guid isPermaLink="false">/article/10.2478/sg-2026-0001</guid>
            <pubDate>Sat, 21 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[Teak is one of most widely planted species in the tropics due to its high wood value. Two main questions motivated this research, how early can be performed genetic selection? and which is the optimal age selection in clonal Tectona grandis? A clonal test was established at northern Pacific of Costa Rica with 32 clones. Measurements were taken at ages 3.2, 3.6, 4.4, 4.9, 5.9, 8.9, 9.7, 10.6, 11.8, and 12.9 years old for diameter at breast height (DBH), commercial height (estimated), tree quality (assessed) and commercial volume. Genetic parameters and genetic correlations across ages for all variables were obtained through SELEGEN software (REML/BLUP). Individual DBH clonal heritability (H2gi) ranged from 0.02 to 0.11, while clonal mean heritability (H2mc) ranged from 0.43 to 0.82. Highest mean clonal heritability for commercial volume was registered between 8,9 and 9.7 years (H2mc=0,74 and 0,77), thus 8,9 became as the target selection age. Significant genetic correlations were found (rg=0.74) between DBH at 4.9 years and commercial volume at 8.9 years. Spearman rank correlation and graphical analysis determined high clonal DBH ranking stability after 4.9 years. Maximum selection efficiency for commercial volume was registered at age 5. Therefore, 9 years-old can be defined as the target age for selection in clonal teak, while early selection can be practiced under low risk through DBH ranking at 5 years, supported by an age-age genetic correlation of rg=0.74. Graphical analysis of ranking splitted in thirds proved to be an effective method to verify ranking stability across ages.]]></description>
            <category>ARTICLE</category>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Differential responses to drought in varieties of Pinus pseudostrobus sensu lato: An analysis of genetic variation and phenotypic plasticity]]></title>
            <link>https://reference-global.com/article/10.2478/sg-2025-0017</link>
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            <pubDate>Sun, 22 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[The increasing drought frequency and intensity requires a deeper understanding of adaptive mechanisms in forest trees. This study investigated drought responses in Pinus pseudostrobus sensu lato, by analyzing genetic variation and phenotypic plasticity across 60 progenies from five varieties (pseudostrobus, oaxacana, apulcensis, coatepecensis, and estevezii). Growth, survival, and morpho-anatomical traits of seedlings were assessed under two watering regimes in a common garden trial. Drought reduced seedling growth and altered leaf structure with pronounced effects on height and diameter growth, needle length and thickness, stomatal characteristics, and specific leaf area. Response varied both among and within varieties, with estevezii and apulcensis showing better performance under drought, expressing more conservative, xerophytic traits and adaptive plastic responses. Correlations between these traits and seedling performance strengthened under drought conditions, highlighting their adaptive value and suggesting that water deficit enhances expression of functional trait-performance relationships. Importantly, differences in trait expression and performance were linked to the climatic conditions of origin, highlighting the role of environmental niche in shaping genetic differentiation and adaptive strategies. Phenotypic plasticity was most evident in foliage developed during drought and varied by trait and family, suggesting genetic effects. Plasticity tended to be negatively associated with seedling performance under drought, but positively under well-watered conditions, indicating a trade-off between productivity and stress tolerance. These results provide strong support for ecotypic differentiation in P. pseudostrobus and emphasize the importance of incorporating genetic diversity and local adaptation into forest management, breeding, and conservation strategies to address challenges posed by climate change.]]></description>
            <category>ARTICLE</category>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Variation among Norway spruce provenances, families and clones in susceptibility to the spruce gall adelgid (Adelges abietis)]]></title>
            <link>https://reference-global.com/article/10.2478/sg-2025-0016</link>
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            <pubDate>Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[Incidence of the spruce gall adelgid (Adelges abietis; “spruce gall aphid” sensu common usage) was assessed as presence/absence in Norway spruce trials in Norway. The trial series comprised a long-term provenance test, a short-term provenance test (36 provenances), three diallel populations (10×10, 10×10, 9×9), a 10×10 factorial cross (100 families), and a clonal test (40 clones). Substantial genetic variation in gall incidence was observed among provenances, among families, and among clones within families. Provenances transferred from low- to mid-elevation Central Europe exhibited higher gall incidence than Nordic and Baltic origins, whereas high-elevation Central European material showed lower incidence. Family-level variation was detected in both natural-population diallels and breeding-population factorial material; a strong agreement was observed between family and derived clone performance (family–clone r ≈ 0.91). Variance-component analyses indicated predominantly additive genetic control, with additional non-additive effects in some crosses. Corresponding narrow-sense heritability estimates were low to moderate (≈ 0.06–0.22). Site effects were evident, with higher expression associated with greater vigor on fertile soils in some trials. Overall, the results indicate that selection for reduced galling is feasible and that provenance choice and site fertility should be considered in deployment and climate-adaptation strategies.]]></description>
            <category>ARTICLE</category>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Development of EST-SSR Markers and their Use in Assessing Genetic Diversity in Chinese Fir Infusion Populations]]></title>
            <link>https://reference-global.com/article/10.2478/sg-2025-0015</link>
            <guid isPermaLink="false">/article/10.2478/sg-2025-0015</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 26 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[In advanced-generation tree breeding program, infusion populations are often used as an effective method to expand and maintain genetic diversity. To analyze the genetic diversity and population structure of six Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) geographical populations, a total of 20 expressed sequence tag-derived simple sequence repeat markers pairs (EST-SSR) were developed and applied for genetic diversity analysis. The evaluated populations exhibited moderate genetic diversity with the following parameters: number of alleles (Na: 4.850), effective number of alleles (Ne: 2.920), information index (I: 0.958), observed heterozygosity (Ho: 0.319), expected heterozygosity (He: 0.481), unbiased heterozygosity (uHe: 0.496), and fixation index (F: 0.321). The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) suggested that only 9.42 % of genetic variation existed among populations, whereas the majority (90.58 %) resided within populations. Cluster analysis showed one population (Sichuan Dechang) as a separate taxon, likely due to its geographical isolation. The present study demonstrated the effectiveness of the developed EST - SSR in analyzing genetic diversity for population.]]></description>
            <category>ARTICLE</category>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Genetic Evaluation and Selection of Superior Teak (Tectona grandis) Families Using BLUPs in a Progeny Trial]]></title>
            <link>https://reference-global.com/article/10.2478/sg-2025-0014</link>
            <guid isPermaLink="false">/article/10.2478/sg-2025-0014</guid>
            <pubDate>Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[Teak (Tectona grandis) is a high-value timber species, and its genetic improvement is crucial for enhancing productivity in plantation forestry. This study evaluated 100 open-pollinated teak families in a progeny trial established in 1998 to assess genetic variation and identify superior genotypes using Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP). Significant variation was observed among families for all studied traits, including tree height, girth at breast height (GBH), clear bole length (CBL), crown traits, and wood volume. Estimates of narrow-sense heritability were higher for girth at breast height, crown height and tree height, indicating moderate additive genetic control. BLUP values revealed that 29 families had consistently positive genetic merit across traits, while 31 had uniformly negative values. Selection of the top 20–30 families based on wood volume BLUPs is projected to yield substantial genetic gains with reduced genetic erosion, supporting the establishment of a clonal seed orchard (CSO). The study demonstrates the effectiveness of BLUP in identifying elite teak families and emphasises the role of genetic evaluation in developing high-yielding, genetically diverse planting stock for long-term tree improvement programs.]]></description>
            <category>ARTICLE</category>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Genetic variation of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) in the Palatinate Forest]]></title>
            <link>https://reference-global.com/article/10.2478/sg-2025-0013</link>
            <guid isPermaLink="false">/article/10.2478/sg-2025-0013</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 23 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[Silver fir in the southern Palatinate Forest grows naturally on dry sandy sites in one of the areas of Germany with the lowest precipitation. This region represents the northwestern edge of its natural range. In the present study, six EST-SSRs were used to genetically characterize a representative old-growth stand and its regeneration. Due to the pilot nature of the study, the results refer only to the silver fir stand examined and therefore cannot provide generally valid statements about the entire population. Compared to studies using similar methods, the stand shows an average genetic variation for Central European silver firs. The average number of alleles (Na) is 6.5 alleles locus−1, while the average number of effective alleles (Ne) is 3.79 alleles locus−1. Relatively high observed and expected heterozygosity values were measured. At 61.8 %, the current heterozygosity is very similar to the expected heterozygosity of 61.2 %. No significant differences in genetic variation were observed between generations. The genetic information was passed on to the next generation without the loss of allelic variants. The fact that more private alleles were found in the natural regeneration indicates a high external pollen input. There was no evidence of isolation, genetic drift, or inbreeding. No family structures were recognizable on the basis of the investigation of the fine-scale spatial genetic structure. Based on the results, the population is not currently classified as endangered, which is why in situ conservation is considered appropriate.]]></description>
            <category>ARTICLE</category>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Genetic diversity, population genetic structure and gene flow in the North African endemic and vulnerable Quercus afares Pomel. Revealed by microsatellites]]></title>
            <link>https://reference-global.com/article/10.2478/sg-2025-0010</link>
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            <pubDate>Tue, 14 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[Due to substantial population decline and habitat fragmentation, the North African Afares oak (Quercus afares Pomel.) is currently vulnerable and highly threatened. Like many endangered species, Afares is susceptible to biological and anthropogenic threats that can lead to genetic diversity loss and, ultimately, a heightened risk of extinction. Therefore, assessing genetic diversity is imperative for informing conservation strategies. In this study, genetic diversity and structure of the extant Algerian populations of Q. afares were analyzed. Genetic diversity, population structure, as well as gene flow and potential bottleneck effects were estimated using 16 polymorphic nuclear microsatellite markers. We found an unexpectedly high level of genetic diversity (Ho = 0.64, He = 0.60, Ar = 7.16) across the studied localities for a threatened species with restricted distribution range. Moreover, there were high levels of gene flow based on pairwise genetic differentiation estimates and minimal genetic structuring, among the fragmented, outbreeding localities (Fis = −0.11, p ˃ 0.05) of Q. afares. Additionally, no correlation was found between genetic and geographical distances (Rxy = −0.29, p = 0.5). These findings suggest that Q. afares stands represent a metapopulation. Despite the high genetic diversity of Q. afares, local populations in each small habitat patch remain at risk of extinction due to habitat loss and increasing anthropogenic threats. To minimize further loss of genetic diversity and habitat degradation, effective protection measures should be applied to Q. afares forests in Algeria. Conservation efforts should focus on habitat management and raising awareness among residents neighboring Afares oak forests.]]></description>
            <category>ARTICLE</category>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[First evidence for bidirectional gene flow between the co-occurring red oak species Quercus imbricaria Michx. and Quercus coccinea Münchh.]]></title>
            <link>https://reference-global.com/article/10.2478/sg-2025-0011</link>
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            <pubDate>Sat, 20 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[Oak species are generally interfertile within taxonomic sections, even if species’ distribution ranges are not overlapping. Despite interspecific gene flow in natural populations, oak species form genetically distinct clusters and maintain ecological adaptations. However, especially in contact zones between species and in sympatric stands, hybrids and introgressive forms are comparatively frequent. Here, we describe for the first time hybrid forms between the related red oaks Quercus imbricaria Michx. and Quercus coccinea Münchh. based on leaf morphological assessment and genetic assignment analyses corroborating bidirectional gene flow between both species. Additionally, we observed introgression for 20 % of the individuals identified by morphologic traits as ‘pure taxa’ Q. imbricaria, Q. coccinea, Quercus rubra L. and Quercus velutina Lam. One individual, morphologically identified as intermediate between Q. imbricaria and Q. rubra, was genetically assigned to Q. imbricaria possibly as result of trait introgression by repeated backcrossing of a Q. imbricaria x Q. rubra hybrid with Q. imbricaria. Our results confirm frequent introgression between red oak species in sympatric stands with the potential to increase the genetic variation and adaptive potential within species.]]></description>
            <category>ARTICLE</category>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Structure, genetic diversity, and bottlenecks in Taxus globosa populations: A nearctic endangered species with fragmented distribution.]]></title>
            <link>https://reference-global.com/article/10.2478/sg-2025-0012</link>
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            <pubDate>Sat, 20 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[Taxus globosa is a conifer native to the Nearctic region, inhabiting isolated mountainous areas of Mexico’s Sierra Madre Oriental. Its limited distribution and fragmented habitats raise concerns about its genetic diversity. To address this, we assessed genetic diversity and structure across six populations ranging from Nuevo León to Oaxaca using microsatellite markers and methods such as analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) and Bayesian assignment analysis. The results indicated significant genetic structuring and reduced genetic diversity from north to south, with low observed heterozygosity (Ho = 0.18 ± 0.03) and high inbreeding levels (Fis = 0.75 ± 0.04). Four main genetic groups were identified, and the Hidalgo population showed significant differentiation. All populations demonstrated evidence of recent reductions, especially in Veracruz and Oaxaca, likely due to silvicultural activities. These findings highlight the need for conservation strategies to protect T. globosa’s genetic diversity and suggest that ex situ cultivation practices should be implemented for future reforestation efforts.]]></description>
            <category>ARTICLE</category>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Rarity of polyploidy in Conifer: a genetic conundrum]]></title>
            <link>https://reference-global.com/article/10.2478/sg-2025-0009</link>
            <guid isPermaLink="false">/article/10.2478/sg-2025-0009</guid>
            <pubDate>Fri, 11 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[Conifers are the largest, most widely distributed group of gymnosperms in the world. Conifers are predominantly diploid. Polyploidy, which is widespread in angiosperms, is rare in conifers. There are only a few naturally occurring polyploids in conifers. Of the eight families of conifers, natural polyploids have been reported only in four genera of Cupressaceae, namely, Sequoia, Fitzroya, Juniperus, and Xanthocyparis. Sporadic and artificially induced polyploids in confers show abnormal growth and do not develop into mature trees. It is conceivable that polyploidy may not have been a viable mechanism for the evolution of predominantly diploid conifers. The large genome size in confers probably resulted from gene duplications, and proliferation of repetitive DNA and transposable elements. The question is how conifers have achieved a genetically stable diploid genetic state after their genome expansion. in most of their families? Creation of polyploidy in organisms is largely determined by reproductive errors involving production of unreduced gametes. In this review I examine the question of rarity of polyploidy in conifers and propose that the maintenance of the diploid state was accomplished by a constellation of diploid-specific genome stability genes and/or non-coding elements in this group. These genome stability genes presumably regulate: (1) predominantly stable haploid gamete formation (rare unreduced gametes result in sporadic abnormal polyploid trees); and (2) an efficient DNA double-strand break repair mechanism for elimination of non-adaptive mutations in conifers.]]></description>
            <category>ARTICLE</category>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Adaptability of twelve European provenances of Pinus cembra in two different branches of the Carpathians]]></title>
            <link>https://reference-global.com/article/10.2478/sg-2025-0007</link>
            <guid isPermaLink="false">/article/10.2478/sg-2025-0007</guid>
            <pubDate>Sat, 21 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[Swiss stone pine (Pinus cembra L.) is a promising species for afforestation at the upper altitudinal limit of the forests due to its adaptability to more difficult climatic conditions. The study aims to analyze the genetic variability, testing site influence, trait-trait and juvenile-adult correlations across two 27-years-old provenance trials. The primary goal was to identify the best-performing provenances, set the suitable breeding strategies, and predicting the optimal age for forward selection. In the spring of 2024, measurements and evaluations were made for survival, diameter at breast height, tree height (Th), volume, fork occurrences, stem straightness, defoliation, branches diameter and finesse. The results indicated a high level of genetic variability, particularly within provenances, suggesting strong potential for selective breeding and adaptability. In each trial, three provenances were selected for reproduction in the same provenance region and under similar environmental conditions as the trials where they were performed. However, due to significant testing site and site x provenance interactions, extreme caution is recommended when transferring forest reproductive materials. Low QST values highlight the need for maintain high genetic diversity, a serious issue for the long-term resilience of this species. The observed juvenile-adult growth traits correlations and the time-to-time evolution of the 12 provenances indicate that early selection, even at the juvenile stage (17 years), could be effective. Forward selection of the top 30 % trees from the best three provenances, for Th, is recommended to enhance genetic gain. These findings provide valuable insights for developing breeding strategies and optimizing afforestation efforts in high-altitude regions.]]></description>
            <category>ARTICLE</category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Does the choice of rootstock impact the resilience to drought of grafted clones in Larix?]]></title>
            <link>https://reference-global.com/article/10.2478/sg-2025-0008</link>
            <guid isPermaLink="false">/article/10.2478/sg-2025-0008</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 16 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[Grafting is a common technique used by breeders to propagate selected trees vegetatively for establishment of clonal archives and seed orchards, but also for clonal evaluation. The root-stock can have a beneficial impact, improving tree development and reproduction in the context of seed orchards, but may also be detrimental in the case of genetic evaluation if uncontrolled.We studied the impact of rootstock on radial growth and resilience to drought in relation to two large-scale grafting experiments, repeatedly subjected to periods with low summer precipitation: one with homo-plastic grafting (12 x 12 grafting diallel design; hybrid larch) and one associating different rootstock species (progeny-clonal trial of European, Japanese and hybrid larches). Our hypothesis was that more vigorous rootstock could enhance growth and resilience to drought.Overall, whatever the grafting systems used and traits considered, both rootstock and scion had a significant effect. Scion effect, though, was dominant and significant rootstock x scion interactions were rare. Across years, less influence of rootstock and scion on the growth of grafted trees was observed during the drier years, but the effect increased during the recovery periods.Our hypothesis was only partly validated when using hybrid larch in hetero-plastic grafting: rootstocks of the more vigorous hybrid larch significantly improved radial growth compared to Japanese larch, whatever the grafted species clones and the climatic years (dry and humid). Hybrid larch rootstocks also improved resilience to drought of European larch but had no effect on Japanese larch. In contrast, when hybrid larch clones were grafted onto hybrid larch rootstocks (homo-grafting), the vigour of the rootstocks had no influence on growth and resilience but well that of the scions. More broadly, the performance of individual clones (evaluated by self-grafting) was only rarely modified when grafted on any of the other 10 rootstocks.The use of hetero-grafting with hybrid larch rootstock appears beneficial to obtain seed orchards of European larch that are more robust and resilient to drought (but only more vigourous for Japanese larch), but it will be a source of bias in the genetic evaluation of individuals as in clonal testing. For this purpose, homo-grafting should be preferred with less concern for rootstock vigour.]]></description>
            <category>ARTICLE</category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Isolation by distance or by resistance? Gene flow patterns of Pinus hartwegii in a highly human-damaged forest, in central Mexico]]></title>
            <link>https://reference-global.com/article/10.2478/sg-2025-0006</link>
            <guid isPermaLink="false">/article/10.2478/sg-2025-0006</guid>
            <pubDate>Fri, 30 May 2025 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[Spatial genetic structure is the result of evolutionary and demographic processes that can be affected by historical and recent environmental changes. Pinus hartwegii is distributed in the highest areas of the Mexican mountains (&gt;3400 m a.s.l.); most of its populations in central Mexico have been destroyed by anthropogenic activities. This research assessed the gene flow patterns of P. hartwegii in La Malinche National Park (LMNP), a Natural Protected Area severely affected by land use changes and forest extraction. Ten chloroplast microsatellites loci were used to determine the genetic diversity and spatial genetic structure of P. hartwegii. Genetic structure was studied using an Analysis of Molecular Variance and a Discriminant Analysis of Principal Components. Spatial genetic structure was evaluated by a Mantel test. Moreover, isolation by distance, and by resistance to land-use changes, and to elevation were analyzed through a partial Mantel test, based on Reciprocal Causal Modeling, and with Maximum Likelihood Population Effects models. Moran’s Eigenvector Maps were used to determine genetic neighborhoods. An effect of distance and elevation on spatial genetic structure of Pinus hartwegii in LMNP was detected, likely explained by pollen movement patterns, limited seed dispersal, and microenvironmental selection during germination. This information is of great value for the conservation of the species and the remaining populations in the park and other temperate forests in central Mexico.]]></description>
            <category>ARTICLE</category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Impact of progeny size on genetic parameter estimation and selection gain in progeny trials of Eucalyptus spp.]]></title>
            <link>https://reference-global.com/article/10.2478/sg-2025-0004</link>
            <guid isPermaLink="false">/article/10.2478/sg-2025-0004</guid>
            <pubDate>Sat, 24 May 2025 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
            <description><![CDATA[Progeny trials are the first and most important phase of a Eucalyptus breeding program. These trials are designed to capture breeding values of parents and progenies, enabling the selection of progenies or superior individual genotypes for cloning. The influence of progeny size on the estimations of genetic parameters and the efficacy on of individual genotype selection remains underexplored. To address this question, the present study investigated the effect of progeny size on the estimation of genetic parameters and selection efficiency in eucalyptus progeny trials. Three full-sibs progeny trials were used to sample varying numbers of individuals within the progenies across blocks. Sampling ranged from one plant per block (single-tree-plot) to 16 plants per block (5 to 80 plants per progeny). For each sampling scenario, 1,000 resampling iterations without replacement were performed to fit a mixed linear model for wood volume. In each iteration, estimates of the individual narrow-sense heritability (ha2), within-family heritability (hw2), and the accuracy of selection at progeny level (r̂gg) were obtained. Analyses of the impact of the number of individuals per progeny showed that the r̂gg improved with increasing progeny size. A stabilization trend was observed for ha2 when progeny size reached 50 individuals. In scenarios with fewer individuals, the variation in estimates of ha2, hw2, and r̂gg was significantly higher, with values reaching zero. Under conditions of low heritability estimates, the negative impact of sampling is more pronounced, leading to an overestimation of selection gains in smaller progeny sizes. A minimum of 50 individuals per progeny is recommended to reliably estimate genetic parameters and reduce sampling errors in the selection of superior individuals in full-sib progeny trials.]]></description>
            <category>ARTICLE</category>
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