GENETIC DIVERSITY IN HIPPOPHAE-L AND ITS USE IN PLANT-BREEDING

In the last decade, Hippophae species, particularly H. rhamnoides L., has received special attention in several countries for its multiple u ses. The plant produces edible fruit with high nutrient and medicinal values and is characterized by its nitrogen-fixing symbiosis. It is wi dely distributed on the Eurasian continent (27 degrees-69 degrees N). Wide genetic variation is the basis of its distribution and provides g ood opportunities for selection and breeding. Hippophae is extremely v ariable in height, from a small bush less than 50 cm to a tree more th an 20 m high. Phenological observations have shown a clear gradient of growth rhythm and plant size corresponding to the geographical distri bution from north to south in H. rhamnoides. Studies on vitamin C conc entration in the fruit have revealed significant differences between a nd within natural populations. The fruit size varies from 4 to 60 g/10 0 berries, the fruit color, from yellow, orange to red, and the shape, from flat, round, oval to cylindrical. Isozyme studies have shown tha t the mean number of alleles per locus per population is 2.1 and the p ercentage of polymorphic loci was 40.3% (at 0.95 standard). There is l arge genetic diversity residing within and between subspecies and spec ies in the genus Hippophae.