Variability of morpho - anatomical features of needles of Pinus nigra (black pine) in the area of Jastrebac and Goč mountains in central Serbia

Abstract

In this paper the variability of morphological (needle length and needle width) and anatomical (resin ducts width, epidermis thickness, hypodermis height, number of the hypodermis layers and needle thickness) properties of Pinus nigra J.F. Arnold (black pine) needles were studied at the intra- and inter-population levels. Two mountains in Serbia, Jastrebac and Goč, were selected as experimental plots. Three Pinus nigra trees were selected from both localities (6 in total). Obtained results showed that trees on Goč had bigger dimensions of the following elements: needle length, slightly wider needle width, epidermis thickness, hypodermis height, number of hypodermis layers and needle thickness. On the other hand, resin ducts were only slightly wider by the trees from Jastrebac. The results of the analysis of variance showed that variation between studied populations, as well as variation between trees within populations was statistically significant for all needle traits except resin ducts width and hypodermis height.