Variation of Cones Production in a Silver Fir (Abies alba Mill.) Clonal Seed Orchard

The current study is the first to describe fertility dynamics in a Silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) seed orchard and among few reporting related information from mature orchard. research aim was evaluate female cone production order provide support future management measures. Observations were conducted clonal Eastern Carpathians over six years; all ramets of 44 clones zero-inflated data analyzed with generalized lineal mixed effects models Bayesian framework. results indicated higher influence year probably sensitivity climate, less variability between clones, both Poisson components cones production. repeatability mean annual clone suggests moderate continuity crops rank individual while estimates heritability under genetic control. values influenced by scale (latent vs. original scale); therefore, caution analysis non-Gaussian comparisons orchards required. variation than expected for orchard, but marked across years, similar other indicators, patterns specific mature, productive commercial orchards. Several options be applied also discussed.