Abstract
Based on the analysis of the intron polymorphism of β-tubulin genes, the genetic variability of old Quercus robur L. trees from “Holosiivsky” NPP was investigated. The genotyping of 55 old Q. robur trees was carried out; 40 polymorphic and one monomorphic (about 880 bp) TBR fragments were found. High frequency (70–90%) of occurrence of fragments with an approximate molecular weight of 275, 490, 500, and 1110 bp was observed.The genetic polymorphism of old Q. robur trees was assessed as quite high: РІС is 0.22 – 0.39, the effective number of alleles per locus was 1.174–1.268. The Shannon information index was in the range of 0.204–0.269.The geographical differentiation of the genetic structure of centuries-old oak trees from “Holosiivsky” NPP was not pronounced. The share of inter-selection genetic variability (AMOVA) accounts for about 6% of genetic variability, and the geographic component – about 1%. Around 93% of genetic variability is concentrated on the individual level. Using the ТВР method, we found that Q. robur forest stands do not have a stabilized genetic and visible spatial structure, but at the same time they possess a sufficiently large genetic diversity. The absence of a spatial genetic structure may indicate the artificial origin of Q. robur trees from different seed materials, and also that a small number of the plants have survived to this time. In this case, the main influence on the structure of oak stands in “Holosiivsky” NPP was from anthropogenic factors, both in the form of cutting down trees and, possibly, the introduction of alien seed material.
Highlights
The common oak (Quercus robur L.) is a native species of the Ukrainian flora, one of the main forest-forming species, which covers around 24% of the total forest area of Ukraine (Derzhavne Ahentstvo Lisovykh Resursiv Ukrayiny [State Forest Resources Agency of Ukraine], http://dklg.kmu.gov.ua/forest/control/uk/publish/article?art_id=62921&)
As has been demonstrated (Plomion et al, 2018), such large polymorphism may be related to the mechanisms of oak resistance by increasing genetic variability at the individual level
At the same time, according to the Shannon information index (0.204–0.269), the differences between the samples are within the error and no reliable differences in the genetic polymorphism in all studied groups of common species of oak were found
Summary
The common oak (Quercus robur L.) is a native species of the Ukrainian flora, one of the main forest-forming species, which covers around 24% of the total forest area of Ukraine (Derzhavne Ahentstvo Lisovykh Resursiv Ukrayiny [State Forest Resources Agency of Ukraine], http://dklg.kmu.gov.ua/forest/control/uk/publish/article?art_id=62921&) It is characterized by high ecological flexibility and has great economic importance. The common oak is a wind-pollinated (anemogamous) plant, but the majority of acorns spread near the mother plants, and acorns cover significant distances only because of carriers – birds, rodents, humans (Gerber et al, 2014) This species prefers fertile soil, but is rather resistant to industrial emissions and is actively used in the creation of sanitary zones of industrial enterprises, inner city woodlands and in green building. As cities around the world become more and more overloaded and polluted (Blanco et al, 2009), trees can reduce air pollution by absorbing some atmospheric pollutants (Nowak et al, 2006)
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