Abstract:

Many photosynthetic property indices and nitrogen metabolic indices of 9 clones of Larix olgensis Henry were measured in phototron. The results showed that the indices varied greatly among 9 clones of Larix olgensis Henry, and correlated with growth character closely. Net photosynthetic rate, respiration rate, true photosynthetic rate, maximum net photosynthetic rate, net photosynthetic rate at half of light saturation point, light response intensity of net photosynthetic rate, nitrate reductase activity, chlorophyll content, amino nitrogen and total nitrogen content were higher in clones growing fast than those in clones growing slowly. Correlation analysis showed that correlation coefficient between net photosynthetic rate or maximum net photosynthetic rate and growth character were higher, and those between respiration rate or chlorophyll content and growth character were lower. The results of system clustering analysis for indices of 6 photosynthetic properties were similar to the results of indices for 6 growth characters. 9 clones could be divided into 3 categories of best, middle, and worst. Research showed that there was a positive correlation between the indices above-mentioned and growth in Larix olgensis Henry, which could be applied to early selection of clones.

Key words: Larix olgensis Henry, Clone selection, Photosynthetic properties, Nitrogen metabolism, Indices