Genetic and geographical relationships of manna ash populations from Serbia

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to reveal DNAs (RAPD) individual variation and to analyze the genetic and geographical diversity of Fraxinus ornus populations from Serbia. PCR-RAPD variation was examined in three natural populations (90 trees) and the data analysed with genetic softwares (POPGENE, Arlequin and TFPGA) for obtaining parameters of genetic diversity and structure. PCR-RAPD markers reveal individual variation in F. ornus. A total of 122 fragments were amplified using 7 primers and of these 77 (63%) fragments were polymorphic. The mean gene diversity for all populations was 0.27 and the Shannon’s index was between 0.38 and 0.42. The partition of total genetic variance indicates a relatively restricted population differentiation as expected in outcrossing species. Present and future information on genetic structure and variability in F. ornus needs to be incorporated into strategies for the preservation of genetic resources of tree species.