This study observed the genotypic variation among Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) half-sib families’ susceptibility to Heterobasidion annosum. Scots pine susceptibility was tested in 12 half-sib families by inoculating them with four different H. annosum strains. At two, six, and ten months after the inoculations, the susceptibility indicators (incidence rate, pathogen spread, and mortality rate) were compared and the total phenolic compounds (TPC) in the inoculated and control groups determined using the Folin–Ciocalteu method. Among half-sib families, significant differences were found for seedling mortality (range: 1.3%–21.2%); however, the differences in incidence rate (range: 54%–77%) and pathogen spread (range: 24–53 mm) were not significant. The incidence rate among half-sib families correlated positively and significantly (r = 0.72, p < 0.05) with the mortality rate, while the pathogen spread correlated negatively with mortality, although the correlation was not significant (r = −0.29, p > 0.05). The TPC comparison with susceptibility indicators showed that the half-sib families with lower susceptibility were characterized by the ability to increase TPC after inoculation compared to the control group. This tendency was most apparent in stems and roots six and two months after inoculation, respectively. Correlation analyses revealed that higher TPC in stems six months after inoculation determined a lower incidence rate (r = −0.32, p < 0.05), while higher Change in concentration of total phenolic compounds (TPCΔ) indicated a lower pathogen spread (r = −0.60, p < 0.05). The lowest incidence of the pathogen was determined in half-sib families with the highest TPCΔ in the roots two months after inoculation. The lower susceptibility of Scots pine half-sib families is based on a combination of enhanced constitutive and inducible phenolic defense mechanisms. The data may facilitate the selection of Scots pine half-sib families with low susceptibility for breeding programs and forest management strategies.

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Seedlings originating from open-pollinated offspring of six and four populations of Prunus padus and Sorbus aucuparia, respectively, were studied with respect to phenology and growth traits for 3-4 years in a nursery. There were no replications at the population levels since the experiments should be converted to seedling seed orchards. Therefore, a special statistical model for analysis of the population effect was developed making use of neighbour performances. This model was also used for derivation of heritabilities. The heritabilities for phenology traits were in many cases high in P. padus, > 0.40, while they varied in the range 0.07-0.62 in S. aucuparia. The population effect was significant for all growth rhythm traits in P. padus and for a majority of traits in S. aucuparia. In both species the heritability for height decreased over time. Only bud flushing in P. padus indicated a relationship with population latitudinal origin in some cases. The genetic correlations between bud flushing different years were relatively strong in both species while the corresponding correlations for leaf colouring were moderate in P. padus and weak in S. aucuparia. In conclusion, the observed structure suggests that the pattern of seed dispersal may have an influence on the among- and within-population variation.

Developing forest harvesting regimes that mimic natural forest dynamics requires knowledge on typical species behaviors and how they respond to environmental conditions. Species regeneration and survival after disturbance depends on a species’ life history traits. Therefore, forest succession determines the extent to which forest communities are able to cope with environmental change. The aim of this review was to i) review the life history dynamics of hemi-boreal tree species in the context of ecological succession, and ii) categorize each of these tree species into one of four successional development groups (gap colonizers, gap competitors, forest colonizers, or forest competitors). To do this we embraced the super-organism approach to plant communities using their life history dynamics and traits. Our review touches on the importance and vulnerability of these four types of successional groups, their absence and presence in the community, and how they can be used as a core component to evaluate if the development of the community is progressing towards the restoration of the climatic climax. Applying a theoretical framework to generate ideas, we suggest that forests should be managed to maintain environmental conditions that support the natural variety and sequence of tree species’ life histories by promoting genetic invariance and to help secure ecosystem resilience for the future. This could be achieved by employing harvesting methods that emulate natural disturbances and regeneration programs that contribute to maintenance of the four successional groups.

The effects of presowing seed treatment with cold plasma (CP) on seedling growth during the first two vegetation seasons and their ability to synthesize phenolic compounds and photosynthetic pigments were compared in seedlings from seven spruce half‐sib families. Seeds were treated with atmospheric dielectric barrier discharge plasma for 1 and 2 min. The results revealed that CP treatment‐induced changes in the tested morphometric and biochemical parameters were strongly dependent on the genotype. The family 477 most positively responded to CP treatments and displayed accelerated growth, combined with a strong increase in pigment and total phenolic content. CP treatment was least effective in families 541, 577, and 599, whereas the response in families 457, 463, and 548 was ranked as intermediate.