Genetic structure of black pine (Pinus nigra ARNOLD subspecies pallasiana) populations sampled from the Bolkar Mountains

In order to determine the magnitude and pattern of genetic diversity among Anatolian Black pine (Pinus nigra ARNOLD subspecies pallasiana) populations sampled in Bolkar Mountains and to recommend the potential populations which may be suitable for in situ conservation of genetic resources in this species, isoenzymes from 14 enzyme systems were investigated by starch gel electrophoresis. For this reason, open pollinated seed megagametophytes of half-sib families originated from the four populations (Camliyayla, Ulukisla, Cehennemdere and Gulekdere) were used. 24 loci were resolved for the 14 enzyme systems assayed. Polymorphism (P) varied between 41% in Camliyayla and 55% in Ulukisla. The mean number of alleles per locus (A) was around 1.6 and the expected heterozygosity (H-S) was about 21%. Moreover, only Ulukisla had a unique allele (second allele of GOT2) which gave the distinctive character to the population. Genetic diversity among populations relative to the total genetic diversity (G(ST)) was averaged as 0.070, indicating that only 7% of the total genetic diversity was among populations. Furthermore, Nei's genetic distance values ranged from 0.007 to 0.032 among population, confirming that the diversity among populations was not very high. Based on the results of this study, it is recommended that Ulukisla and Gulekdere populations could be considered for in situ conservation of genetic resources of the species in the Bolkar Mountains.