PLASTID DNA POLYMORPHISM OF MEGAGAMETOPHYTES AND POLLEN IN 2 ABIES SPECIES

Single pollen grains of Abies kawakamii and megagametophytes of Abies alba and A. hawakamii were investigated for a psbC chloroplast gene re gion. This region was amplified and digested with endonuclease Hae III . Two different restriction fragment patterns occurred corresponding t o the 2 variants detected in previous investigations on needles and em bryos of Abies. The occurrence of plastid DNA in megagametophytes as w ell as in pollen of Abies is discussed with regard to the mechanisms o f inheritance of plastid DNA in conifers. Prospects are given for PCR- based analysis of plastid DNA in single pollen grains and megagametoph ytes as a promising tool in population genetics.