Genetic structure of Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] provenances tested in IPTNS-IUFRO 1964/68 experiment in Krynica

The results of previous studies have shown high breeding values of Beskidian spruce. The aim of the study was to assess the genetic structure of seventeen Norway spruce provenances from the Beskidy Mts. tested in IPTNSIUFRO 1964/68 experiment in Krynica, which survived after massive wind damage on the plots. Polymorphism of five isozyme systems encoded in five loci was determined. The highest value of genetic diversity parameters: mean number of alleles per locus and observed heterozygosity was noted for progeny of spruce from the Eastern Beskidy Mts. (N_a = 1.47, H_o = 0.15), and the lowest - for the provenance from the Western Beskidy Mts., Babia Góra massif and the Beskid Sądecki Mts. (N_a = 1.27, H_o = 0.12). Mean genetic distance between analyzed spruce provenances was equal to 0.027.