ABSTRACT Norway spruce (Picea abies) is a widely used Christmas tree species in the Nordic countries. Postharvest needle retention is an important characteristic for Christmas trees and compared to many fir (Abies) species, Norway spruce has poor postharvest needle retention. This trait is one of the most important qualities in choice of natural versus plastic trees. In this study, current year shoots were cut from 30 Norway spruce seedlot sources, including the most widely used Norwegian Christmas tree provenances, and tested to identify genetic variation in postharvest needle retention. Current year shoots were collected from one field in November and December 2018, and from three fields in October, November and December 2019. The current year shoots were displayed indoors under controlled conditions and allowed to dry. Differences in postharvest needle retention were seen between seedlots, harvesting dates and locations. Our study indicates possibilities of selecting for improved postharvest needle retention in Norway spruce seed sources. Furthermore, postharvest needle retention should be considered as one characteristic to add in the ongoing Norway spruce Christmas tree breeding program.

中文翻译：

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挪威云杉圣诞树的采后针保留

摘要 挪威云杉（Picea abies）是北欧国家广泛使用的圣诞树种。采后针保留是圣诞树的一个重要特征，与许多冷杉（冷杉）物种相比，挪威云杉的采后针保留较差。这种特性是选择天然树木和塑料树木的最重要的品质之一。在这项研究中，从 30 个挪威云杉苗圃来源（包括使用最广泛的挪威圣诞树种源）中切下当年的枝条，并进行测试以识别采后针叶保留的遗传变异。 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 在 2018 年 11 月和 2018 年 12 月从一个田地收集当年枝条，在 2019 年 10 月、11 月和 12 月从三个田地收集当年枝条。当年枝条在受控条件下在室内展示并晾干。在种子批次、收获日期和地点之间观察到收获后针保留的差异。我们的研究表明在挪威云杉种子来源中选择改善采后针保留的可能性。此外，采后针保留应被视为一项特征，以添加到正在进行的挪威云杉圣诞树育种计划中。