Variation in Polyphenol Content Within and Between Sitka Spruce Provenances at Different Sites

Abstract

The concentrations and total weights of polyphenol fractions were measured in 2-year-old lateral branches from the upper part of Sitka spruce trees of four provenances growing at four widely separated sites in Britain. Variation between trees within a provenance was high, but there were highly significant differences between provenances and between sites. The highest polyphenol concentrations occurred in the most northerly provenances and at the least favorable sites for growth. The highest total weights of polyphenols occurred at the most favorable site for growth, but there were no significant differences between provenances. Many of the variables measured were highly correlated with each other. The stilbenes and leucoanthocyanins were the most informative groups of compounds, and the leucoanthocyanin content showed a high correlation with vigor. It is concluded that differences in polyphenol content between provenances are confounded by variation due to site and to vigor.