Morpho-anatomical and physiological analysis of Cyclocarya paliurus provenances for germplasm selection in tea-style cultivation

Authors : Rui Chen, Seyit Yuzuak, Min Wu, Fangping Tong, Sen Liu, Gui Li

Pages : 117-136

Doi:10.29048/makufebed.1808713

View : 34 | Download : 71

Publication Date : 2025-12-29

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Cyclocarya paliurus (Batalin) Iljinsk is an endangered subtropical tree species in China with high pharmacological and economic value, yet its large-scale cultivation remains limited. Understanding provenance-level variation in C. paliurus is essential for identifying elite germplasm suitable for leaf-oriented, tea-style plantation systems. In this study, seedlings of six natural provenances, including Xiushui (XS), Shimen (SM), Lushan (LS), Jianghua (JH), Hupingshan (HP), and Shuangpai (SP), were grown under tea plantation-style cultivation conditions to evaluate differences in growth performance, leaf morphology, anatomical structure, physiological traits, stress resistance, and productivity and to identify superior germplasm for industrial development. Phenotypic differentiation was observed despite the uniform environment, indicating strong genetic control and long-term climatic adaptation. Provenances originating from moderate, mid-elevation climates (SM, SP) exhibited superior early growth and the highest productivity indices. In contrast, provenances from colder or thermally variable habitats (LS, XS, HP) displayed smaller or more compact leaves, increased tissue density, enhanced protective structures, and higher cold or drought resistance. Anatomical traits, including mesophyll thickness, stomatal density, and glandular trichome abundance, further reflected adaptive trade-offs between carbon assimilation and stress protection. Overall, the clear divergence in leaf form, structure, biomass allocation, and stress-related traits among provenances underscores the strong influence of native climatic conditions. These findings provide important guidance for matching provenance characteristics to plantation environments and support the targeted selection of high-yield, stress-tolerant germplasm for industrial-scale, tea plantation-style cultivation of C. paliurus.
Keywords : Cyclocarya paliurus, yaprak anatomik ğzellikleri, genotip varyasyonu, stres direnci, çay plantasyonu, genotip seçimi

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