Epicuticular wax structure of Norway spruce (Picea abies) needles in Estonia. Variability in naturally growing and cloned trees

The structure of epicuticular wax of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karsten) needles from 12 localities on the Estonian mainland was studied by SEM in 1988. Rapid degradation of tubular wax into flattened plate-like structures was observed in all sites. Even during the first growing season degradation was rapid in three localities, two of which are situated far from the local sources of air pollution. In 1993 epicuticular wax structure was studied in cloned young Norway spruces planted in 10 localities. Despite the different exposure of the study sites to air pollution, the rate of wax degradation from tubular into flattened structures in the sites was similar. However, the degradation speed in naturally growing trees was much slower in 1993 than in 1988. Great variability in wax structure within a sample and even within the same needle was found, despite the genetically identical material used for the analysis.

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