Analysis of random amplified polymorphic DNA markers in three conifer species

From 40 arbitrary primers tested with one DNA from each species, two, three and four were chosen to generate RAPD profiles in Norway spruce, silver fir and Scots pine respectively. Sample sites were Northern Vosges, Hunsruck mountains and, between them, the forest around the University of Saarbrucken. The similarity indices of intra- as well as between-sampling sites averaged for all primers, were distinctly lower (0.48) in all spruce and fir stands than in Scots pines' (0.79). Almost all variability resided within samples. Mean genetic distances among sampling sites were generally small and seemed slightly elevated in Scots pine only. Some applications of RAPD data are discussed.