Promising black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) cultivars  in Hungary

Zs. Keserű,J. Rásó,I. Csiha,K. Rédei,M. Takács

doi:10.31421/ijhs/24/3-4./2047

Abstract

In Hungary, black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is one of the most important exotic stand-forming tree species, growing mostly under unfavourable ecological conditions. Considering the climate change effects its importance is increasing in many other countries. As a result of a selection programme, several black locust cultivars have been improved for setting up cultivar trials. In the paper four black locust cultivars were evaluated in Central Hungary under arid hydrological and brown forest soil conditions. Significant differences (P<5%) were found in height, DBH, mean tree volume and average stem form value (SFV). At the age of 35 the cultivar ‘R.p. Jászkiséri’ appeared to be the most promising one for yield production and ‘R.p. Zalai’ for SFV.

Highlights

Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is a species native to North America that has a long tradition of uses as an ornamental, forest tree, street tree, and is favoured by beekeepers
Since the introduction of black locust into Hungary this tree species has been closely associated with agriculture, and its wood could be utilized for many agricultural and domestic purposes
Common black locust plants were produced by seeds

Summary

Introduction

Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is a species native to North America that has a long tradition of uses as an ornamental, forest tree, street tree, and is favoured by beekeepers. Black locust is an early successional species readily colonising open grounds, but not regenerating in the shade, usually outcompeted by longer living hardwoods in the course of succession. Since the introduction of black locust into Hungary this tree species has been closely associated with agriculture, and its wood could be utilized for many agricultural and domestic purposes. After World War II its importance changed, because large-scale farms had lower demand for wood and the timber industry was not willing to buy black locust wood. It was necessary to improve the quality of final products of black locust forests to meet the demands of consumers. New cultivars had to be produced by selection techniques and had to be introduced into the practical forestry use (Keresztesi, 1988)

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Discussion

Conclusion