Comparison of Juvenile, Drought Tolerant Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) Clones with Regard to Plant Physiology and Growth Characteristics in Eastern Hungary: Early Evaluation

Abstract

(1) Background: The aim of our study is to present the results of initial growth and plant physiology studies of newly selected, vegetative propagated black locust clones, with a view to assess their suitability for the establishment of fast growing tree plantations for the production of high quality timber in marginal (semi-arid) sites. (2) Methods: In the spring (May) and autumn (November) of 2021, full inventories were carried out in the black locust industrial tree plantation. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) values were observed monthly from May to September 2021. For measuring the assimilation parameters the net assimilation, transpiration, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO2 concentration, and other physiological parameters were recorded. (3) Results: Robinia pseudoacacia ‘NK2′ clone showed the highest assimilation rate and it produced the most height increment in the growing season, from May 2021 to November 2021. The discriminant analysis classified successfully the black locust clones, 86.7% of original grouped cases were correctly classified. (4) Conclusions: The study of industrial tree plantations is of great practical importance. As black locust can tolerate even marginal site conditions, the lack of timber can be reduced in the future by establishing black locust industrial tree plantations. To be able to produce good quality industrial wood on the plantations, it is essential to study the phytophysiological properties of the trees (biomass production, vegetation activity of plants, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic activity) in addition to the traditional stand full inventories.

Differences in the Growth and the Ecophysiology of Newly Bred, Drought-Tolerant Black Locust Clones

“…This research effort resulted in several state-approved cultivars [5,28,30,31]. Suitability for the establishment of black locust plantations in marginal sites with extreme weather conditions, especially drought, can be expected to differ by clones, as proved by our preliminary investigation [32]. It must be noted that utilization determines which parameter has priority.…”

Effects of Rainfall Exclusion Treatment on Photosynthetic Characteristics of Black Locust in the Sub-Humid Region of the Loess Plateau, China

“…He et al [ 30 ] found that this species has physiological responses of strong stomatal control to drought in the sub-humid region of the Loess Plateau. However, some clones of black locust can tolerate water stress and were considered as drought-tolerant type in Napkor [ 34 ]. The black locust showed relatively lower sensitivity of stomatal conductance to environmental factors in a semiarid site [ 35 ].…”

Light response curve analysis of juvenile black locust clones: A case study from eastern Hungary

“…recently established an experimental plantation that included a clone trial involving four newly-bred clones and a state-approved cultivar -Üllői black locust (Rédei et al 2020) as a control. The trial compared these new clones and the Üllői cultivar for growth, assimilation parameters and water use efficiency (Ábri et al 2022, 2023bÁbri, Csajbók 2023).Many stress factors negatively affect plants today. Global climate change has increased the two…”

“…Many studies have examined black locust physiology and water stress response (Zheng et al 2012;Mantovani et al 2014;Meng et al 2014;Küppers et al 2018;Choi et al 2021;Lange et al 2022;Ábri et al 2023b;Ábri, Csajbók 2023). Zheng et al (2012) demonstrated that black locust photosynthetic light response curves initially show a rapid increase in the net CO 2 assimilation rate (A) under photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) between 0 μmol•m -2 •s -1 and 200 μmol•m -2 •s -1 .…”