Cytogenetic polymorphism of english oak (Quercus robur L.) seedlings from areas with different levels of anthropogenic pollution

Cytogenetic polymorphism of English oak seedlings from areas with different levels of anthropogenic pollution was studied. In each studied area, groups of seedlings with low, intermediate, and high level of mutations have been identified. Mutable groups were characterised by a high level of mitotic pathologies, broad spectrum of such pathologies (e.g., chromosome agglutination, asymmetric and tripolar mitoses). Impact of trees location near the freeway leads to variability increase of cytogenetic properties and domination of intermediate-mutable groups of seedlings.