Shoot Growth in 2-3 Year Old Nothofagus Seedlings

Shoot growth was studied in 2 to 3 year old seedlings of 56 provenances of black, mountain, red, and silver beech. Differences between provenances within species groups were smaller than differences between species. Latitudinal variations occurred in the growth of silver beech provenances, but the altitudinal variation in mountain beech provenances reported earlier for younger seedlings was found not to be significant here. Genetic differences detectable between provenances in younger plants may become obscured by the later influence of local environmental factors as plants mature. Temperature but not rainfall was positively correlated with the rate of shoot growth.
Red and silver beech provenances were the most susceptible to frost and mountain beech to grass grub beetle attacks.