Bud development in grand fir (Abiesgrandis)

Abstract

Vegetative buds of mature Abiesgrandis (Dougl.) Lindl. (grand fir) were studied throughout the annual growth cycle. Vegetative buds became mitotically active in mid-March, bud burst occurred in mid-May, and shoot elongation continued until the end of June. Bud scales were initiated during shoot elongation. In mid-April axillary buds were initiated on elongating shoots. They were initiated subterminally in the axils of the first-formed bud scales and laterally in the axils of leaf primordia. Axillary buds followed the same developmental sequence as terminal buds. The end of bud-scale initiation was preceded by rapid apical enlargement and followed by a period of rapid leaf initiation. The rate of leaf initiation slowed in mid-August but continued until vegetative buds became dormant in mid-November. Seed cones are axillary on the upper surface of vigorous shoots in the upper region of the crown. Pollen cones are axillary on the lower surface of shoots below the seed cone bearing region of the crown. Bract and microsporophyll initiation began in early to mid-July, was rapid at first, until about two-thirds of the primordia were initiated, then slower until all primordia were initiated. All bracts and ovuliferous scales were initiated and seed-cone buds became dormant in early November. All microsporophylls were initiated by early September, microsporangial development began in mid-August, and pollen-cone buds became dormant in early November. The cyclic nature of cone production in Abies is discussed in relation to cone-bud initiation, cone maturation, and photosynthate utilization in developing shoots.