BIBLIOS

Document type
Journal articles

Document subtype
Full paper

Title
Exploring reproductive biology in Eucalyptus globulus clones under distinct climatic conditions

Participants in the publication
Andreia Anjos (Author)
Centro de Ecologia, Evolução e Alterações Ambientais
Joana G. Jesus (Author)
Unidade de I&D e Inovação
CE3C
Cristina Marques (Author)
Nuno Borralho (Author)
Carlos Valente (Author)
José Alexandre Araújo (Author)
Cristina Máguas (Author)
Dep. Biologia Vegetal
CE3C
Otília Correia (Author)
Dep. Biologia Vegetal
Sergio Chozas (Author)
Dep. Biologia Vegetal
CE3C

Summary
Despite the great economic benefits, one of the major threats of introducing species into exotic ranges is their ability to regenerate and spread to novel environments. For example, Eucalyptus globulus plantations have been established in many parts of the world, using seedlings or clonal material, the latter often from advanced generation tree improvement programs. However, major concerns exist about this species’ ability to invade non-native areas. Therefore, it is necessary to study whether breeding programs affect this species’ reproductive biology to assess the risk of invasiveness of these improved trees. In this sense, this work compared the E. globulus phenological behaviour and reproductive structures production of three clonal and one seedling-based stand across two distinct climatic zones (mesic and xeric) in Portugal. Through binocular observation, four different stands (seedlings descending from open-pollinated crosses and three clonal-stands) were monitored every three weeks for different reproductive phenological stages, namely the presence of flowers and capsules. Clonal stands presented a shorter flowering season, less abundant reproductive structures, and higher phenological variability across sites than seedling-based stands. Phenological patterns and fructification abundance also varied between the three clonal stands. These results suggest that clones with decreased reproductive ability can be chosen during the breeding process, lowering the dispersal risk while enhancing productivity. Thus, understanding the phenological behaviour of E. globulus is critical to more sustainable agroforestry by reducing the spread risks.


Where published
Discover Agriculture

Publication Identifiers
ISSN - 2731-9598

Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC


Document Identifiers
DOI - https://doi.org/10.1007/s44279-023-00006-x
URL - http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s44279-023-00006-x

Keywords
Exotic species Flowering Phenology Reproduction Tree improvement