The morphological and genetical characterisation of a native Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) population in the area of Pokljuka mire

Abstract

Morphometrical and genetical characteristics of two morphologically different sub-populations of spruce trees grown in a frost area of the mire Sijec (altitude 1170 m) on the Pokljuka plateau were studied. The tree height & diameter, needle length & needle volume of 70, approximately 120 to 200 years old trees, were measured. The genetic structure of the two spruce sub-populations were estimated by isozyme analysis on starch gel at 17 polymorphic gene loci. Soil conditions on the research plots examined with a gauge sound and then mapped and investigated in details by lab analyses of soil samples from representative soil profiles. The analysed spruce trees grown on the more productive site belonging to the association Rhytidiadelpho lorei - Piceetum in edge of the mire with mainly automorphic soils were in average 3,8 times taller and thicker than the trees from the extreme site belonging to the association Sphagno girgensohnii - Piceetum. The needle length of these trees was 25,7 % longer and their needle volume 68 % bigger than of the trees from the mire plot on the hydromorphic peat soils. The comparison of the genetic structures has shown distinct differences in frequencies of some alleles and genotypes between the analysed spruce sub-populations.