The heterogeneity of Pinus yunnanensis plantation growth was driven by soil microbial characteristics in different slope aspects.

The slope aspect is an important environmental factor, which can indirectly change the acceptable solar radiation of forests. However, the mechanism of how this aspect changes the underground ecosystem and thus affects the growth of aboveground trees is not clear. In this study, Pinus yunnanensis plantation was taken as the research object, and the effects of soil and microbial characteristics on tree growth under different slope aspects and soil depths were systematically analyzed.

Trunk distortion weakens the tree productivity revealed by half-sib progeny determination of Pinus yunnanensis.

Twisted trunks are not uncommon in trees, but their effects on tree growth are still unclear. Among coniferous tree species, the phenomenon of trunk distortion is more prominent in Pinus yunnanensis. To expand the germplasm of genetic resources, we selected families with excellent phenotypic traits to provide material for advanced generation breeding.