Abstract: It has been a very interesting study for international scientists to research the evolutional relationship between plant C-value and traits in families or genera. The data of C-value and 1000-seed weight were searched from Plant C-value Database and Seed Mass Information Database, respectively. The relationship was analyzed by ANOVA and regression model for 5 genera 108 species in Pinaceae. The results showed the C-value ranged from 9.5 to 36 pg in a reasonably normal distribution, and the 1000seed weight had a widest distribution from 1.2 to 1269 (approximate 1058 times). The ANOVA analysis results showed the Pinus had the highest mean C-value (25.79 pg) in 5 genera and was significantly higher than those of the other 4 genera. The mean C-value of Larix was the lowest (12.53 pg) and was significant lower than that of Picea (18.44 pg). There was no significant difference among C-values of Picea, Abies and Cedrus. For 5 genera in Pinaceae, there was an evolutional sequence: Pinus→Pieca→Cedrus→Abies→Larix, combining previous research results and our C-values analysis results. The differences of average 1000-seed weight in 5 genera was larger, and it was in the sequence of Pinus (123.7 g), Cedrus (84.5 g), Abies (26.4 g), Larix (5.5 g) and Picea (3.9 g). The 1000-seed weight of Pinus were remarkable higher than those of the others, and the 1000-seed weight of Cedrus were significant higher than those of Abies, Larix and Picea. However, there was no significant difference between Larix and Picea. Linear correlation analysis showed that there was a higher significantly positive correlation between C-value and 1000-seed weight (y=3.415x-7.248, R²=0.346, t-test, P<0.001) and the correlation coefficient was 58.8%, suggesting 1000-seed weight was increased with the C-value increasing in Pinaceae. In conclusion, all the results indicated that the C-value and 1000-seed weight would decline with the improving of evolutionary status, which were closely related to the geographic distribution and spread in Pinaceae. The specific mechanisms need to be further researched.

Key words: Pinaceae, C-value, 1000-seed weight, linear regression analysis, evolution