Morphological diversity of some old accessions of Cupressus sempervirens L. in Iran

Abstract

The aim of this research was to evaluate some old accessions of Cupressus sempervirens L. in Iran and identify any possible relationships exist among them based on phenotypical characteristics. A total of 17 Cupressus accessions mostly grown in situ, from Kerman and Yazd provinces were used. Twenty characteristics (11 quantitative and 9 qualitative) were measured for evaluating the chosen samples. Results from simple correlation analysis showed significant positive and negative correlations for certain important characteristics. Seed length and width were in significant correlation with cone width. There was a close relationship between seed length and width with cone width. Also seed length, seed width and number of total seeds were in significant correlation with cone circumference. The number of seeds per cone was in positive correlation with scale number per cone and number of seed per scale. Factor analysis was used to determine the effective characteristics and the number of main factors. For each factor, a loading value of more than 0.65 was judged as being significant. Effective characteristics were categorized into seven main factors that contributed to 85.5 % of the overall variance. Cone and seed characteristics were defined mainly by the first factor contributing to 25.62 % of the total variance. Cluster analysis divided the trees into two main clusters each consisting of genotypes with lanceolate leaves and ovate, respectively, exception to the thirty sub cluster of the first main cluster that had ovate leaves. The oldest accessions such as Y.A, Y.M, Y.Ch, Y.T₁, Y.T₂ and K.J1 were located in the first cluster. Most of the accessions, especially the oldest ones, in main first cluster had the open growth habit or semi-open, so that growth habit was semi-closed in second main cluster.