%0 Research article
%T The growth rhythm and height growth of seedlings of Siberian (Larix sibirica Ledeb.) and Dahurian (Larix gmelinii Rupr.) larch provenances in greenhouse conditions
%A Lukkarinen, Antti J.
%A Ruotsalainen, Seppo
%A Nikkanen, Teijo
%A Peltola, Heli
%D 2009
%J Silva Fennica
%V 43
%N 1
%R doi:10.14214/sf.215
%U https://silvafennica.fi/article/215
%X The aim of this study was to determine whether the growth rhythm and  height growth differ between various larch provenances grown in  greenhouse conditions. We also investigated whether the geographic and  climatic conditions at the origin of the provenance could explain the  possible differences between the provenances. The study material  consisted of 16 Russian Siberian (Larix sibirica Ledeb.) and Dahurian  larch (Larix gmelinii Rupr.) provenances and four seed sources from  Finland as comparison lots. The growth rhythm differences were clearest  between the southern and northern provenances; the southern provenances  grew for a longer period and the proportion of late summer height growth  was larger. Autumn colouration also developed later in these  provenances. In the Russian larch material the provenances with a longer  growing period had greater height growth. In the whole material the  relationship was not so linear due to the deviating behaviour of the  comparison material. Several of the Russian larch provenances were  taller than the Finnish comparison seed lots, although the difference  was not statistically significant. However, the growth of these  provenances must be followed for a much longer period in field trials  before any conclusions can be drawn about their usability in practical  forestry.