Identification of elite aspen clones in the experimental plantation in the North- West of Russia
In 2001-2006 several experimental aspen (Populus tremula L.) plantations were established in the North-West of Russia (Leningrad region). In vitro propagated elite aspen clones from the Kostroma Forest Research Station were used as the planting stock for plantations. Periodic observations of tree growth and development were carried out during the entire period of their growth. However, the planting plans of some experimental plantations were lost, which made it impossible to identify the genetic affiliation of the trees. To restore the lost planting plan at the site No. 6 in the 49th quarter of the Druzhnoselskoye district forestry of the Gatchina central forestry microsatellite ISSR analysis were used. In total, eight ISSR primers were examined. Only three of them (HB12, M12C, M10) gave a well-read and fairly complete electrophoretic distribution of amplicons. In this case primers HB12 and M14 allowed only two groups of plants distinguishing, and the primer M12C allowed distinguishing of three groups. Primer M12C allowed 20 loci analyzing, 15 of which turned out to be polymorphic. Thus, the application of methods of molecular genetics made it possible to split the entire set of plants into three groups. Repeated visual inspections of plants allowed minor morphological differences between trees revealing, which confirmed the correctness of the selection of groups by molecular markers. The revealed groups of trees differed also in growth. The best of them grow at the level of natural aspen coppice, and recently there has been a tendency to accelerate their growth. These groups are recommended for cultivation in the north-west of Russia.