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Morphological evaluation of cork oak (Quercus suber): Mediterranean provenance variability in Tunisia

Évaluation morphologique chez le chêne liège (Quercus suber) : variabilité des provenances méditerranéennes en Tunisie

Annals of Forest Science volume 64, pages 549–555 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Twenty-six provenances (2 340 plants) of cork oak (Quercus suber spp.) originating from Portugal, Spain, Italy, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia were tested for genetic variation among and within provenances by growth traits. Seven morphometrical characters were measured in 90 plants from each provenance. Analysis of variance showed highly significant differences for all characters. The phenotypic coefficient of differentiation reached 0.24 for the form and 0.22 for height, thus revealing a strong structuring between the provenances. Comparative study of growth among the provenances revealed more vigorous growth and better survival rate for those from Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, which may constitute better materials for afforestation. Furthermore, this variability appeared to be geographically structured and would be mainly genetically controlled, as cork oak provenances were cultivated under the same environmental conditions. Our results should be helpful for guide forest managers in afforestation.

Résumé

La variabilité génétique inter et intra-provenances a été étudiée pour des caractères de croissance chez Quercus suber spp. 26 provenances (2 340 individus) de chêne liège originaires d’Espagne, du Portugal, d’Italie, du Maroc, d’Algérie et de la Tunisie ont été implantées et testées. Sept caractères morphométriques, jugés discriminants, ont été mesurés chez 90 individus par provenance. L’analyse statistique des résultats a montré des différences hautement significatives entre ces provenances. Le plus haut coefficient de différentiation Qst est trouvé pour les caractères forme (0,24 %) et hauteur (0,22 %). L’étude comparative a en outre révélé une croissance plus vigoureuse associée à une moindre mortalité chez les provenances originaires du Portugal, d’Espagne et du Maroc, leur conférant ainsi un intérêt potentiel pour le reboisement. La variabilité observée chez le chêne liège apparaît structurée selon l’origine géographique et serait essentiellement de nature génétique, puisque toutes les provenances ont été cultivées dans les mêmes conditions pédoclimatiques.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Biochimie, Département de Biologie, Faculté des Sciences de Tunis, Université Tunis El-Manar, 2092, Tunis, Tunisia

    Mhemmed Gandour & Saîda Triki

  2. Laboratoire d’Écologie et d’amélioration Sylvo-Pastoral, Institut National des Recherches en Génie Rural Eau et Forêt (INRGREF), BP 10, 2080, Ariana, Tunisia

    Mohamed Larbi Khouja

  3. Laboratoire de Génétique et Amélioration des Plantes, Institut Sylvo-Pastoral de Tabarka (ISPT), 8110, Tabarka, Tunisia

    Lamjed Toumi

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  1. Mhemmed Gandour
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Correspondence to Mhemmed Gandour.

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Gandour, M., Khouja, M.L., Toumi, L. et al. Morphological evaluation of cork oak (Quercus suber): Mediterranean provenance variability in Tunisia. Ann. For. Sci. 64, 549–555 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1051/forest:2007032

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Annals of Forest Science

ISSN: 1297-966X