Prediction of Tracheid Length and Diameter in White Spruce (Picea Glauca)

Abstract

The establishment of patterns of radial and longitudinal variations and the development of models to predict the wood anatomical properties, especially from juvenile wood, are of interest for both wood industry and researchers. Linear regressions were used to predict whole-tree, breast height and mature tracheid length and diameter in white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) and the WBE model was used to predict the variation of tracheid diameter. Tracheid length and diameter increased from pith to bark. Tracheid length decreased, while tracheid diameter increased from apex to lower heights. Cambial age was the most important predictor of tracheid length. The final tracheid length models with either a log transformation or a third-order polynomial of cambial age explained 82% of the variation in the whole-tree tracheid length. At breast height, 83% of the variation in the whole tracheid length was explained using the juvenile value at a cambial age of 3 years. Up to 87% of the variation was explained by the model, including the average value of juvenile wood. However, mature wood tracheid length at breast height could not be predicted from juvenile wood. Distance from the apex predicted the tracheid widening in outer rings but failed to predict tracheid expansion of samples collected at fixed cambial ages. The WBE explained 86% of conduit widening in the outer rings. The sampling strategy, i.e. collecting samples longitudinally at a fixed cambial age vs. at a fixed calendar year is important in predicting tracheid diameter.

Effect of Seed Transfer on Selected Wood Quality Attributes of Jack Pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.)

“…Our finding that warm-origin jack pine populations (Fite Lake, Freesoil, Douglas, and Twin Lakes) tended to grow best (both radially and longitudinally) at the common plantation (which lies in a cooler environment than southern provenances) and that cool-origin populations (Alex River, Baskatong Lake, and Dunbar Forest) tended to grow best (both radially and longitudinally) at the common plantation (which lies in a warmer environment than northern provenances) concurs with results on five northern conifers, including jack pine [5]. Since TL is known to increase with TH [44,52,60], we expected provenances that ranked best for TH to have a comparable ranking for TL, as seen for Fite Lake and Freesoil. All best-performing provenances presented a mix of high radial growth and high physical properties, high radial growth and long tracheid, or high physical properties and long tracheid.…”

“…This correlation was very low and non-significant (r = 0.012, p = 0.80), contrary to what is expected in other conifers [42,43]. It would be very interesting to study the longitudinal variation of jack pine TD in a functional viewpoint, to see if it concurs with the predictions of the hydraulic optimality models, as has been found for many coniferous species [44,45]. This radial pattern of TD specific to jack pine should also be confirmed using different datasets.…”

“…Indeed, the primary role of cell expansion is to ensure an efficient transport of water along the stem, by overcoming hydraulic resistance (friction) that increases with tree height [53][54][55]. Thus, tracheid widening essentially varies with the distance from the apex [44,56]. Since water requirements and distance from the apex can reasonably be assumed to be similar at breast height in this even-aged plantation, one can expect TD to be comparable, regardless of seed origin.…”

Variation in Wood Quality in White Spruce (Picea Glauca (Moench) Voss). Part I. Defining the Juvenile–Mature Wood Transition Based on Tracheid Length

“…It is important to note that samples were collected at fixed CA and not at determined calendar years. This sampling strategy is a relevant issue when describing anatomical features [41]. Wood sticks were macerated using a Franklin [42] solution consisting of (1:1 v/v) hydrogen peroxide diluted to 30% and concentrated glacial acetic acid.…”

Phenotypic Correlations among Growth and Selected Wood Properties in White Spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) †

“…In addition, the TL radial pattern of variation clearly defines the juvenile wood (JW) and mature wood (MW) zones [26]. TD is an important property in pulp industries [27] and its radial and longitudinal variations explain a tree's adaptation strategy to overcome hydraulic resistance [28,29]. Because measuring anatomical properties is time consuming and expensive [30], TL and, even more, TD have not been addressed enough [31].…”