Genetic variability of service tree (Sorbus domestica L.) in the Hungarian middle mountains -based on cpDNA analysis in two regions

Abstract

A genetic inventory was conducted at maternally inherited chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) gene loci of 196 adult service trees (S. domestica). The sampled trees represent autochthonous collectives/populations originating from 2 distant regions, from contrasting habitats, a forested area (eastern part of the Dunazug Mountains) and cultured habitats (Zemplén Mountains), respectively. Strong intrapopulation variation was observed; percentages of molecular variance were: between regions 27%, among populations/regions 6%, within populations 67%. Considering all samples, the major part of total diversity (ht = 0.752) was contributed by intrapopulation diversity (hs = 0.583). Species diversity was represented differently in individual populations. E.g. the population Kácsárd contains only one haplotype: the doubtless sign of local human cultivation. The population Buda Hills has an average differentiation considering the whole sampled material but the highest when evaluating the region north from Budapest separately. That points to the dispersion after an introduction event, probably parallel to adaptive radiation under selection influence. In the study genetically polymorphic populations containing unique haplotypes were detected, providing important information for forest management, gene conservation and nature protection activities. The described work is part of ex situ gene conservation projects of the species in Hungary.