THE GENETIC VARIABILITY OF SELECTED NORWAY SPRUCE STANDS IN THE JESENIKY MTS., ORLICKE HORY MTS. AND KRUSNE HORY MTS. (CZECH REPUBLIC)

The genetic structure of selected Norway spruce stands from the Jeseniky Mts., Orlicke hory Mts., and Krusne hory Mts. (Czech Republic) was studied to verify the genetic quality. The genetic variability of tree populations ensures the stability and sustainability of forest ecosystems. DNA polymorphism at twelve nuclear microsatellites of fourteen Norway spruce stands was investigated. The level of genetic diversity within 14 investigated Czech Norway spruce stands was relatively high. Mean values for number of different alleles ranged from 12.25 (stand SM J51) to 15.92 (stand SM T1). The values of observed heterozygosity (Ho) ranged from 0.65 to 0.81, and expected heterozygosity (He) from 0.81 to 0.86. Pairwise population F ST values ranging from 0.007 to 0.030 indicated low genetic differentiation between units, and values of Nei's genetic distance among Norway spruce units ranged from 0.083 to 0.313. The structuring of investigated Norway spruce stands was also confirmed by different ratios of genetic profiles according to the Bayesian clustering method results. Closer genetic similarity was seen in the stands from the gene conservation unit in the Orlicke hory than in other studied stands. The most genetically different stand was from the Krusne hory. Knowledge based on DNA analyses regarding the variability of genetic resources will contribute to the quality of the reproduction material and to creation of an optimal species composition in forests.