Genetic variability and differentiation of geographically marginal Scots pine populations from Ukraine

Genetic variability of six geographically marginal Scots pine (Pinus sylves tris L.) populations from Ukraine situated mainly on a longitudinal gradien t was studied using allozymes and vertical PAGE technique. The populations have average observed heterozygosity H-o=0.262, and expected heterozygosity H-e=0.281. The mean value of NEI's genetic distance was 0.016, and F-ST wa s 0.020, similar to the values reported for Scots pine populations from oth er parts of the range. The obtained values of NEI's genetic distances (0.00 4 to 0.026) suggest that southern geographically marginal populations of Sc ots pine are as much differentiated as the central populations and have pro bably slightly higher level of differentiation than the northern-most popul ations.