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Early morphological variation of Salix alba clones in a conservation-oriented progeny test
Kerkez-Janković, Ivona
Šijačić-Nikolić, Mirjana
Maksimović, Filip
Popović, Vladan
Abstract: White willow (Salix alba L.) conservation is tightly linked to riparian habitat condition and hydrological regimes. These habitats are faced with fragmentation, human disturbances and degradation of ecosystems in general. All this alteration affects white willow populations in a negative way. Remaining forest stands can function as dynamic metapopulations but may depend on site history and within-population genetic diversity. To secure reproductive material and genetic resources national/regional programs combine in situ measures with ex situ actions. With the aim of conserving the white willow on Great War Island (Belgrade), a clonal (vegetative) progeny test was established in the nursery. The test consists of 25 clones whose ortets—parent trees—were selected from the species’ gene pool on the territory of Great War Island. The selection of ortets was carried out in the spring of 2024. The selected trees were georeferenced and mapped. Each tree in the field was marked with a number. The branches were cut with a telescopic pruner, and the cuttings were formed immediately afterward on-site. The cuttings varied in diameter but were uniform in length, approximately 20 cm long with 3–4 dormant buds. A total of 1,611 cuttings were produced, with the number of planted cuttings per clone ranging from 51 to 94. Sprouting of the cuttings was uneven, and the final rooting/survival percentage was determined on May 23, 2024. In total, 999 cuttings rooted and 859 survived first growing season. The morphological characteristics of the plants were analyzed at the end of the first growing period. The overall mean height for all seedlings was 7500.96 ± 1682.01 mm, with a total coefficient of variation of 22.42%. The average ground-level diameter was 5.09 ± 1.06 mm, with a coefficient of variation of 20.82%. Heights were considerably more variable than diameters. Thus, according to descriptive statistical parameters, clones BV_09 and BV_19 stand out. Clone BV_09 shows the lowest average values for both height and diameter, whereas clone BV_19 has the highest average height values, but not the highest diameter values. Based on the analyses conducted during the first growing season, the established clonal test of white willow from Great War Island demonstrates substantial variability in seedling height and diameter across the 25 examined clones. The early identification of distinctive clones, such as BV_09 and BV_19, further highlights the value of this collection for ongoing conservation and breeding efforts. Overall, the clonal test provides a good basis for conservation and improvement of the genetic resources of white willow in this ecologically important riparian habitat.
engleski
2025
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Keywords: white willow, seedlings, conservation.