Ql. Dang et al., GENETIC-VARIATION OF ECOPHYSIOLOGICAL TRAITS IN RED ALDER (ALNUS-RUBRA BONG), Canadian journal of forest research, 24(11), 1994, pp. 2150-2156
We examined the genetic variation of ecophysiological traits within an
d among 40 red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.) provenances (two families per
provenance) in a common-garden experiment in the summer of 1993. The
provenances were representative of the entire species range in British
Columbia, Canada. We found significant genetic variation among proven
ances (P < 0.001) in photosynthetic rate (A), mesophyll conductance (g
(m)), transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (g(sw)), stomatal s
ensitivity to water vapour pressure deficit (SENS(VPD)), intercellular
to ambient CO2 concentration ratio (C-i/C-a), and midday xylem water
potential (psi). Photosynthetic water-use efficiency, however, did not
differ significantly among provenances. There were no significant dif
ferences between families within provenance for any of these variables
. A weak but significant geographic trend was detected in ecophysiolog
ical traits: psi, A, g(m), and E increased, and SENS(VPD) decreased, f
rom southeast to northwest. Photosynthetic rate, E, g(m), g(sw) and ps
i were positively related to each other, but negatively correlated wit
h SENS(VPD). C-i/C-a, was negatively correlated with g(sw). These corr
elations indicate that red alder might have undergone genetic differen
tiation in drought resistance.