Research on the variability of Picea abies in Poland: genetic and breeding value of spruce populations in the Polish range of the species

The work outlines the directions in the past and present research into the variability of Norway spruce in Poland, and presents the results of provenance experiments concerning the genetic and breeding value of provenances tested in the Polish range of spruce distribution. The Istebna race proved to have a good value, however, so far only the progeny of single stands have been tested. It is thus necessary to determine the range of distribution for this race. The altitude of the location of mother stands significantly correlates with the genetic and breeding value of their progeny cultivated at different altitudes. This suggests that the altitude and exposure of plantations to be established in mountain forest belts should be specified for individual provenances (altitudinal zoning). New inventory provenance tests should be run under varied site conditions to assess both the genetic value and plasticity range of the provenances. In view of the biotic and abiotic threats facing spruce, there is a need to work out detailed programmes designed to preserve its genetic resources in gene banks and in vivo archives.