Do biomass partitioning and growth efficiency contribute to growth heterosis in inter-specific hybrid larch Larix x eurolepis?

Abstract

Abstract Hybrid larch (Larix decidua x L.kaempferi) is a fast growing species with high potential for reforestation outside the native range of European larch. Its superiority over its parents is well documented but still today little is known about the genetic background of heterosis and even less about the physiological mechanisms supporting it. In this paper, we hypothesize that a different allocation of biomass and/or growth efficiency could explain growth differences between larch species. To examine heterosis sensu stricto, we used a subset of progeny from an intra−/inter-specific diallel-mating design represented by connected pedigrees from the three species (Hybrid larch, European larch and Japanese larch). Six years after planting, we harvested the trees, excavated roots and measured dry weights of above- and belowground parts. The best allometric relationships were determined for predicting the biomass of each compartment. Heterosis for stem volume exceeded 108 per cent and 81 per cent for total tree biomass over mid-parent values. Hybrid superiority was visible for all biomass compartments and particularly for needles and branches, so that aboveground biomass heterosis reached 2.5 times that for the roots. In addition to a greater biomass, the hybrid benefited from a modified allocation of biomass with a slightly higher proportion of branch and needle biomasses and a reduced proportion of root biomass. Hybrid and European larches had a significantly greater growth efficiency than Japanese larch. Whereas the differential of productivity between European and Japanese larch did not increase with size, it greatly increased for hybrids with fine root mass increase. A heavier crown, a reduced proportion of root biomass and greater root efficiency in hybrid larch should enhance photosynthesis and reduce root respiration cost, providing more carbon-based resources for use in stem wood production. Implications for breeding are briefly discussed.