Genetic variability of Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur L.) in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Background and Purpose: The objective of this research was to determine variability of some remaining populations and groups of trees of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) at the molecular-genetic level in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The analysis was made by means of highly polymorphic nuclear microsatellite markers, which were used in some earlier research involving pedunculate oak embryos. The obtained results will provide guidelines for proper management with and regeneration of pedunculate oak forests, and for their re-introduction. In particular, this research will contribute to further improvement and conservation of pedunculate oak using in situ and ex situ methods. Material and Methods: This study analyzes molecular genetic variability of 12 natural populations of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Molecular genetic variability was analyzed on the basis of DNA by means of the following four nuclear microsatellite markers: ssrQpZAG1/5, ssrQpZAG9, ssrQpZAG36 and ssrQpZAG108. The analysis included a total of 108 alleles. Results and Conclusion: Considerable differences were observed in the frequencies between populations. The same differences were confirmed with analysis of other parameters, such as the effective number of alleles, the fixation index and genetic differentiation. It should be pointed out that this research confirmed higher allele heterozygosis in the populations in relation to pedunculate oak populations inWestern Europe. This result suggests that the investigated populations have not lost much of their genetic potential for adaptation. This could be attributed to the vicinity of the studied populations to their glacial refugium. This is the reason for their higher resistance and sturdiness in comparison with the populations of western and central Europe. They posses more genetic variability despite the fact that they had for centuries suffered a strong anthropogenic influence, which brought them to their survival limit and the verge of extinction. The obtained results will allow us to preserve the genetic structure of this valuable species in Bosnia and Herzegovina.