ZLV Online

Abstract

The primary hypothesis is based on the assumption that Norway spruce individuals which show slow growth in the juvenile stage belong to the population with “K strategy” of growth. This indication is based on the used parameters R and K growth patterns indicating a capacity of the environment driving the maximum achievable size of individuals. In other words, this can be considered a “climax strategy”. The experiment aims to recognize anatomical differences occurring in treatments with different growth strategies. Results suggest that in variants showing slower growth in nursery (“medium” and “small”) occurred better health compared with trees showing intensive growth in nursery (“large” and “control”). Treatment “medium” shows the highest area of xylem, phloem and albuminous cells. Ratio of the vessel area to total needle section area suggests the good adaptation syndrome in the variant “small”. There is a better potential for adaptation and growth in these initially smaller treatments.