Endogenous and individual variability of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) cones’ morphometric parameters

The article analyzes endogenous and individual variability of Scots pine cones’ morphological features. Cone features are widely used in forestry and dendrological literature to characterize populations, ecotypes, climatypes and forms. However, there are very few detailed studies of endogenous variability of Scots pine cones, which determines the possibility of using them to assess group variability, in the literature, which indicates the relevance of the research. The work studied quantitative such linear indicators as cone length, its width in the closed and open state, seed scales length, length, width and thickness of the shield, umbo length and width. Endogenous and individual variability in the shape of the apophysis was also studied. In addition to linear morphometric features, relative quantitative indicators were studied that reflect both the shape of the cone and the shape of its parts (seed scales, apophysis, umbo). The level of endogenous variability depends on the variability level of the linear indices, the ratio of which they are obtained, and on the degree of correlation between these linear indices. The conducted analysis of statistical indices of morphometric features variability showed that all the studied quantitative indices of cones had predominantly low levels of endogenous and individual variability, therefore these features can be used to study group variability. Relative indices of cones had even lower levels of endogenous and individual variability. They have an advantage in studying group variability, since they indirectly characterize the shape of cones and reflect the correlation relationships established in it. The study of the shape of the apophysis showed that its endogenous variability differs from medium to very high, and individual variability differs from increased to very high. Therefore, its use for studying group variability is inappropriate.