Abstract:

Based on the data determined for 8 years from a Liriodendron chinense provenance trial located at Shaowu city of Fujian Province including 15 seed sources representing the natural range of the species was used to study firstly genetic variation between provenances and geographic differentiation pattern for main economic traits such as mortality,stem forking by branch formed, growth,stem form and wood basic density.The results indicated that there were great provenance effects for most traits.A classical clinal variation pattern for main economic traits beside wood basic density was not found because of effects of habitat fragmentation on genetic structure of the population (small population effect and isolation by distance effect,etc.).The range of the species in China can be divided roughly into two provenance regions and four sub-regions by cluster analysis.Superior provenances could be selected and recommended for pulpwood slash and plywood respectively.Marked sensitivity to site condition was observed,there were significant interactions between provenance and site environment,which must be considered in commercial plantation development.

Key words: Liriodendron chinense, Provenance trial, Geographic genetic variation, Provenance selection