Quality of pedunculate oak Provenances in Bosnian–Herzegovinian provenance test based on branching angle and stem form

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Pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L) populations in Bosnia and Herzegovina are significant for species preserva- tion in Europe because of their specific genetic structure. For conservation purposes, we established a prove- nance test in 2009 in Žepče, with 28 provenances. In 2019, we evaluated branching angles and stem form of plants through a provenance test to assess their quality. Plants with branching angle 22.5° was found with 2% of the total number of plants, branching angle 22.5°–45° in 19% of plants, branching angle 45°–67.5° in 32% of plants, and branching angle 67.5°–90° in 47% of plants. The highest percentage of the most favorable branching angle had a provenance from Ključ, Miljevina Foča, and Bugojno. Category 10 of stem form (ideal tree, without defect) was found in 14% of the plants, category 9 (a small defect) in 16%, category 8 (two slight defects) in 3%, category 7 (two medium defects or many small defects) in 4%, category 6 (big defects that can be recovered or more medium defects) in 16%, and category 5 (many defects) in 7% of the total number of plants. In category 4, the researchers recorded all the plants without silvicultural value, and it included 40% of the plants. The highest percentage of category 10 plants had a Drvar provenance (42%), whereas the lowest had a Bugojno provenance (2%). These results are important in assessing the quality of provenances and need to be followed by research of other morphological traits and genetic variability.

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Quercus robur , branching angle , stem form , provenance test , quality of provenances

Forestist

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Forestist