An assessment of genetic diversity following natural regeneration of Sorbus torminalis in the Forest District of Jamy (northern Poland)

The subject of the study was a population of Sorbus torminalis resulting from spontaneous regeneration from seeds in northern Poland at the north-eastern limit of the species distribution. The population, occupying a fenced plot of 1.72 ha in the Forest District of Jamy, amounted to 579 individuals of variable age classes up to about 19 years old. Six polymorphic gene loci: MDH-B, ME-A, 6PGD-B, ADH-B, PGM-A, PGM-B were studied in 532 individuals recruited post-fencing and 21 potentially parental, adult trees. The analysis showed similarly high levels of genetic diversity within both subsets of individuals but there was also a noticeable change in genetic structure between them. Detailed genetic analysis of the post-fencing recruits revealed lack of significant differences between different age groups based on DBH within the fenced plot.