Identification of Pinus brutia TEN., P-halepensis MILL. and their putative hybrids

Identification of Pinus brutia TEN., P. halepensis MILL. and their putative interspecific natural hybrids was studied in Rhodes island, Greece by using morphological, anatomical and isoenzymatic markers. Twentytwo morphological and anatomical characteristics and 3 loci (GDH-A, LAP-A, IDH-A) were used for identification of the above species and their hybrids. Among the 22 tested morphological and anatomical characteristics, 19 (all except three: peduncle, seed width and teeth per centimeter) presented higher mean values in trees regarded as P. brutia, while 14 (all except eight: needle thickness, stomata rows, teeth per centimeter, resin ducts, cone width, seed width, cone length, and length of seed plus wing) presented intermediate mean values in trees regarded as interspecific natural hybrids. The three tested loci, were proved to be useful markers for the discrimination of both pine species and their interspecific hybrids. An agreement among the clusters of the morphological analysis and the species characterization by the biochemical analysis, was noticed.