Geographical variation in growth of four Maritime pine populations

The geographical variation in growth was investigated in four Pinus pinaster Ait. provenances (one Portuguese, Corsican, Tuscan and one Sardinian Limbara). Measurements were made on twenty-year-old trees growing in three different experimental plantations (Usinava, Montes, Uatzo) established in Sardinia (Italy), in 1981. The four P. pinaster provenances differed significantly for diameter and basal area. Ranking of provenances was similar at the age 7, 16 and 20. The Corsican and Portuguese provenances showed the highest potential for diameter and basal area amongst the seed sources studied, while the Tuscan trees were characterized by the lowest growth.