ENVIRONMENTAL-EFFECTS ON NORWAY SPRUCE NEEDLE WAX

In spring, tubular wax structures were observed on the needle surfaces of new Norway spruce needles and also on previous-year needles. In young plants, as in mature trees, the fusing ana eroding of the wax tubes on needles of increasing age had taken place in relation to their exposure, particularly to wind and precipitation. The quantity of needle wax and certain fractions of the extracted wax differed in mature trees at two field sites and in young clonal plants. No difference in wax quantity and only small differences in wax composition occurred among young plants which had undergone different treatments (fumigation with O3, SO2, ambient air, filtered air, or planting at the sites). Environmental effects on wax structure, wax quantity and the presence of certain compounds in the wax were identified.