Genetic structure of black pine (Pinus nigra ARNOLD subspecies pallasiana)populations sampled from the Bolkar Mountains

In order to determine the magnitude and pattern of genetic diversity among Anatolian Black pine (Pinus nigra ARNOLD subspecies pallasiana) populations sampled in Bolkar Mountains and to recommend the potential populations whi ch may be suitable for in situ conservation of genetic resources in this sp ecies, isoenzymes from 14 enzyme systems were investigated by starch gel el ectrophoresis. For this reason, open pollinated seed megagametophytes of ha lf-sib families originated from the four populations (Camliyayla, Ulukisla, Cehennemdere and Gulekdere) were used. 24 loci were resolved for the 14 enzyme systems assayed. Polymorphism (P) v aried between 41% in Camliyayla and 55% in Ulukisla. The mean number of all eles per locus (A) was around 1.6 and the expected heterozygosity (H-S) was about 21%. Moreover, only Ulukisla had a unique allele (second allele of G OT2) which gave the distinctive character to the population. Genetic divers ity among populations relative to the total genetic diversity (G(ST)) was a veraged as 0.070, indicating that only 7% of the total genetic diversity wa s among populations. Furthermore, Nei's genetic distance values ranged from 0.007 to 0.032 among population, confirming that the diversity among popul ations was not very high. Based on the results of this study, it is recomme nded that Ulukisla and Gulekdere populations could be considered for in sit u conservation of genetic resources of the species in the Bolkar Mountains.