Genetic variability of Pinus sylvestris populations from IUFRO 1982 provenance trial

Provenance trials were designed to analyse the quantitative responses of tree species to environmental variables found in different experiment location. However, we have still limited knowledge how natural and artificial selection affects genetic variation of the species populations gather in such experimental sites. We have used bulked DNA-based RAPD and ISJ analysis to investigate genetic diversity and differentiation of Scots pine populations from two Polish locations of IUFRO 1982 provenance trial placed in Kórnik and in Supraśl. Applied categories of DNA markers differed in terms of revealing genetic diversity of the species. Ten RAPD primers applied in the study yielded a total of 75 bands, of which 21 (28%) and 15 (20%) were polymorphic in Kórnik and in Supraśl, respectively. Six ISJ primers revealed 42 bands of which 4 (9.52%) and 14 (33.3%) were polymorphic in Kórnik and in Supraśl, respectively. The genetic diversity and differentiation was low, as expressed by He=0.071 and He=0.085, and by genetic distance values which ranged from 0.0 to 0.240 (on average 0.081) and from 0.017 to 0.188 (on average 0.094) for Kórnik and Supraśl, respectively. Location of provenance trial appeared to have a significant influence on revealed level of genetic polymorphism and pattern of interpopulation differentiation. However, genetic structure found for analysed Scots pine provenances from IUFRO 1982 in Kórnik was also confirmed for Supraśl experimental site. In the light of available data we also discussed the influence of historical migration routes and gene flow on observed genetic variation of the species.