Genetic variation of cork oak a tool for improving regeneration of cork oak woodlands

The European Academies' Science Advisory Council (2017) reports that the Mediterranean forest is already being affected by climate change (IPCC, 2014) and cork oak woodlands are particularly vulnerable to high-end climate scenarios that go above the Paris Agreement 2° C increase in temperature. Since longer, more frequent, and more intense drought periods are expected, stress caused by the expansion of arid and semi-arid climate will affect the species distribution. Consequently, not only established stands may be prone to tree mortality, but also the current reforestation effort may be jeopardized by low survival rates attributed to the use of unsuitable genetic material. It is expected that, through genetic adaptation and/or phenotypic plasticity, cork oak populations may have developed significant differences in fitness and the traits related to it. In this context, provenance and progeny trials are the best resource of material to assess the variability between and within populations from seed sources sampled in a wide range of locations (stands) covering the geographical distribution of the species. Profiting from the multi-locality provenance and progeny trials belonging to a Network, established in 1998, in the initiative frame of FAIR I CT 0202 for the evaluation of genetic resources of cork oak for appropriate use in breeding and gene conservation strategies”, where 35 cork oak populations covering all the natural distribution area are represented. The provenance trials that where set up in different countries are entering now the age of first debarking and this should allow to have first data about the influence of genetics on production by different site qualities. INCREDIBLE project should document this knowledgeFAIR I CT 0202info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Provenance behavior in the cork-oak International network trials fair 202

The international network of provenance trials in cork-oak was established as a result of the EU Concerted Action FAIR 202, 1995-2000. 34 provenances were selected in the natural range of cork oak and trials were established in 1996/97 in France, Italy, Portugal, Tunisia and Spain. This study compares the behavior of provenances in the trials of Grighini (Sardinia), Monte Fava and Quinta da Nogueira (Portugal), Monfrague (Spain), Les Maures (France) and Tebabe (Tunisia). Observations on total height (Ht) and diameter at beast height (DBH) are used to compare and assess adaptation within sites and among sites. Climate at the provenance site seed collection and at trials sites is used to characterize the behavior of provenances. The results reveal that the provenances, ES 5 (1063 mm), IT16 (910 mm), IT12 (937 mm), 937, TU32 (948 mm), FR2 (958 mm, FR1 (963 mm, MA31 (970 mm), ES8 (993 mm) are able to adapt and show good growth under conditions of decrease of total annual rainfall and strong decrease in case of TU33 (1610mm), MA27 (1280 mm). On the other hand provenances coming from sites of low precipitation not always show relevant performance in sites of higher precipitation as IT14 (448 mm), ES10 (455 mm), MA29 (479 mm). These results are discussed in the impact climate change (CC) may have in adaptation and evolution of cork oak. Our results show that cork oak will not face serious threats if drought increases in the Mediterranean region, since some populations are showing capable to cope successfully with decrease of total precipitation. The ongoing results from the cork-oak international network trials FAIR 202 show the importance of this line of research and the need to establish harmonized criteria on data collection to enhance the comparability. As cork quality is a key issue on cork-oak economic sustainability it is critical to establish harmonized criteria in cork harvesting for further studies to compare cork quality with special reference for the assessment of the genetic control of cork production and heritability.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Évaluation préliminaire des essais de provenances de chêne-liège et perspectives de recherche

Le réseau international des essais de provenance et de descendance de chêne-liège (établie dans le cadre du projet Action Concertée FAIR CT 95-202 “European network for the evaluation of genetic resources of cork oak for appropriate use in breeding and gene conservation strategies” financé par l’Union Européenne) constitue un matériel vivant unique pour la recherche, qu’elle soit appliquée, ou fondamental, sur l’espèce. Les essais génétiques ont été réalisés sur une base méthodologique harmonisée au niveau des plants utilisés (tous les plants ont été élevées dans une même pépinière au Portugal) et sur terrain un même dispositif expérimental a été suivi. En 1997/98, 13 essais de provenances ont été établis. Ceux ayant réussi sont situés en Espagne (2), France (1), Italie (3), Portugal (3) et Tunisie (1). Concernent les essais de descendances il existe 4 des 5 initiales - Espagne (1), Portugal (2) et Tunisie (1). Dans ce travail nous présentons quelques résultats du comportement des provenances à travers des caractéristiques adaptatifs tels que la survie, l’efficacité d’utilisation de l’eau et des études de génomique. Nous avons procédé à la comparaison de chaque provenance dans les essais - niveau horizontal- et à la comparaison de chaque provenance entre les essais - niveau vertical afin de discuter la plasticité phénotypique et l’interaction génotype X environnement. Les données disponibles pour hauteur en 2006 montre des différences de comportement entre provenances et entre les essais. Par exemple, les provenances du Maroc montre une croissance supérieure dans l’essai plus au Sud au Portugal et aussi dans un essai en Espagne. Pour l’essai de Sardaigne les meilleures provenances sont de Tunisie et d’Espagne. A la fin on discute sur les avantages des essais comme matériel vivant dénominateur commun pour une recherche avancée, multidisciplinaire, synergétique, transnational et concertée. Les perspectives pour la recherche sur les grands thèmes tels que la gestion durable du chêne-liège, notamment la sélection, amélioration génétique, adaptation aux changements globaux, fluxes génétiques, problèmes phytosanitaires, qualité du liège en liaison avec la respective génomique sont adressées.PTDC/AGR-AAM/104364/200

Spatio-temporal analysis of tree height in a young cork oak plantation

Cork oak is one of the most valuable natural forest genera in the Mediterranean basin. Modelling cork oak growth has been a challenge for foresters in recent years because of strong site and genetic influences, below-ground competition, management regimes and age effects. Because cork productivity is related to forest height, which is, in turn, related directly with site characteristics, an increase in the accuracy of height prediction implies improved productivity estimation. A Bayesian maximum entropy (BME) geostatistical model was applied to characterize the space–time pattern of height of young cork oak in a forest stand from central Sardinia in the years 2000, 2002, 2003, 2006 and 2008. Cork oak height maps were produced for each of the 5 years. The main goals were to analyse and interpret through time (i) the changes in spatial correlation and (ii) the changes in spatial distribution of cork oak height. The plantation was characterized by an increasing spatial dependence through time, whereas the temporal range was 2 years. Cork oak height was significantly correlated with wind speed (reduced by a neighbouring forest) in all the years implying a single trend. The correlations were larger for 2006 and 2008 than for previous years. Three other environmental variables (shade, elevation and slope) were less significant and their influence restricted to 2 years only. This research has several implications for the management of cork oak in the young phase.<br/

Characterization of the international network FAIR 202 of provenance and progeny trials of cork oak on multiple sites for further use on forest sustainable management and conservation of genetic resources

The international network of provenance and progeny trials was established in 1998 in France, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Tunisia under the EU Commission financed concerted action FAIR 202 benefiting from homogeneous plant raising and standardize experimental design. The trials include 34 provenances that are being characterised using quantitative genetics and molecular genetics to study survival, growth, morphological and physiological traits in relation with geographical origin. France 2008– Provenance were assess using survival, growth (height) and vigour parameters. Provenance PT 23 and PT+ES 25 had the lowest survival rate respectively 79,2% and 77,8% while ES 8, ES 7, MA 31 and PT 19 had 94,4%. In 2008 the mean height at Les Maures was 48.73 cm and the form keeps plagiotropic. Italy- Sardinia, Grighine, 2010 The average mortality was 7%, ranging from 13-14% at the provenance IT LA-VT; IT SI-CT; MO I-1 and 0-2% for FRII, ES 3-V, ES F-PAR, PT IV-03, TU I; TU II. Mean height and trunk DBH over cork were respectively 273cm and 5.1cm. MO I-2, TU II, ES 4-CR are above mean on height (302-309 cm), and the Italian provenances are under mean (237-249cm). The maximum DBH was reached by MO I-2 (6 cm) followed by ES-4 CR and MO III-2 (5.8 cm) and the minimum is at IT PU-BR (3.8 cm), followed by the other Italian provenances (4-4.6cm) and PT V-01 (4.5 cm). Portugal Results from field trials show significant differences among populations on survival, growth and adaptive traits (phenology, water use efficiency - WUE). Mogadouro trial, 2011 -provenance variation was assessed using growth, vigour and survival. The bud burst as adaptive characteristic was observed during 2011-2013. The Moroccan provenances show good adaptive characteristics in terms of growth, vigour and stem form. There was no significant differences (p<0.05) in provenances bud burst. The mean height is not correlated with survival. Italian provenances present lower height but higher survival. The overall mortality is around 26%. The highest growth is being observed in the Moroccan provenances and French ones showed lowest survival. Results from field trials at Italy (continent), Spain and Tunisia are also referred. Genotype by environment interaction (G x E) is discussed. Due to the large variability of responses between cork oak provenances we emphasise the importance to use these results when considering the seed origin aiming for large scale planting programs for adaptation, cork quality, pest and diseases susceptibility and for conservation of genetic resources, Progeny trials provide key information for genetic improvement programmes on estimates of breeding values on economic characteristics such as cork quality and an approach on inbreeding problems. Perspectives Used in synergy the results from provenance and progeny trials are likely to provide insights for balancing the conflicting objectives such as maximising selection intensity while maintaining variation. Taking into consideration that the cork from the second striping made 3-4 years after the first gives information about the quality liable to be used on selection for afforestation guide lines we enhance the need of concerted criteria on debarking season and procedures. The results from these trials will contribute to the knowledge on genetic variation and are a privileged living material to study climate change effects and adaptation to biotic and abiotic factors and for sustainable management of this long living species.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Characterization of the international network FAIR 202 of provenance and progeny trials of cork oak on multiple sites for further use on forest sustainable management and conservation of genetic resources

The international network of provenance and progeny trials was established in 1998 benefiting from homogeneous plant raising and standardize experimental design. The trials include 34 provenances that are being characterised by several teams. France 2008. Provenance PT 23 and PT+ES 25 had the lowest survival rate. In 2008 the mean height was 48.73 cm and the form keeps plagiotropic. Italy- Sardinia, 2010 - The average mortality was 7%. Mean height and trunk DBH over cork were respectively 273 and 5.1 cm. MO I-2, TU II, ES 4-CR are above mean on height (302-309 cm), and the Italian provenances are under mean (237-249cm). Italy- Roccarespampani, Lazio- The mortality is about 45% and it is the only plantation site where the French provenance FR3 has a growth above mean. Portugal. Results show significant differences among populations on survival and growth. The Moroccan provenances show good adaptive characteristics in terms of growth, vigour and stem form. Italian provenances present lower height but higher survival. The overall mortality is around 26%. The highest growth is being observed in the Moroccan provenances and French ones showed lowest survival. Provenances and plantation sites are characterised for rainfall regime. The provenances Morocco MA27 and Tunisia TU33 that are from sites of high rainfall are among the best on growth at sites of considerable more xerothermic climate. If persistent at older age these results indicate that fast adaptation of cork oak populations to cope with climate changes leading to drier and warmer conditions seems possible.Concerted Action FAIR 202 “European network for the evaluation of genetic resources of cork oak for appropriate use in breeding and gene conservation strategies”info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio