PINUS-HALEPENSIS X PINUS-BRUTIA SUBSP BRUTIA HYBRIDS - IDENTIFICATIONUSING MORPHOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL TRAITS

The aim of this study was to verify whether trees which exhibit very v igorous growth are F-1-hybrids of Pinus halepensis X Pinus brutia, and to what extent they differ from typical P. brutia subsp. brutia trees growing in the same plantations and from typical native P. halepensis MILL, trees. Comparison of data regarding morphological traits and is oenzyme analysis of biological material taken from P. halepensis, P. b rutia and the very vigorously growing trees, provided evidence that th e trees targeted are F-1-hybrids. The results indicate that the seed u sed to establish these P. brutia forest plantations was probably impor ted from sites in Greece where P. halepensis and P. brutia grow in geo graphic proximity.