Plantation Cultivation of Pinus sibirica Du Tour in the Middle Taiga Subzone of the Komi Republic

In order to create a valuable gene pool of cedar pines in the conditions of the Komi Republic, rootstock crops of Siberian pine (Pinus sibirica Du Tour) were planted on the territory of laboratory training center of the Syktyvkar Forest Institute. The plants were collected from different areas of the Komi Republic and the Arkhangelsk region for adjustment to the local, northwestern climate. The paper presents the results of the variational analysis of morphological parameters and growth dynamics in P. sibirica cultures. Height, trunk diameter, and crown diameter were chosen as the morphometric criteria. The variability of the studied traits ranged from 18.8 to 93.1 %. The average height of the plants was 72.2 & PLUSMN;3.9 cm, the average trunk diameter was 2.0 & PLUSMN;0.1 cm. The most changeable characteristic was the diameter of the crown of the plants, which ranged between 11 and 148 cm with Cv of 30.6-93.1 %. The plants of Yarensk origin were the most developed according to the examined morphometric criteria. The average growth of P. sibirica plants in height within the age group of 9-11 years over three years was 13.5 & PLUSMN;0.9 cm. The lowest growth rate was registered in plants of the Sysola group (1 cm), whereas plants of Yarensk origin had the highest growth rate (38 cm). Throughout the research period, plants of all groups had a consistent rise in overall height. However, this trait variability was reduced only in the group of plants of Yarensk origin. The maximum variability in all three traits was observed in plants of Syktyvkar origin with Cv of 39.7-93.1 %. In general, high variability in the development of Siberian pines over three years across all experimental groups was detected. The investigation results can be applied for further research on the development and inheritance of economically valuable traits and decorative characteristics of P. sibirica in the conditions of the middle taiga subzone of the Komi Republic.